Update on April 21, 2014 from the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Maryland State Fire Marshal: The Office of the State Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the April 16, 2014 fatal fire. Investigators found an operating burner on the electric stove was on a low setting and came into contact with combustibles that resulted in a fast moving fire producing heavy smoke and flames.
The 1:16 p.m. accidental fire at 19555 Three Notch Road was located by the victims’ caretaker, Delores Pennington. After attempting to extinguish the fire, she determined she was unable to control the flames and escaped to the exterior of the dwelling and called 911. An active duty U.S. Marine, Jon Spindler, from the nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Base, attempted to enter the structure to assist the victim. The
heavy smoke conditions thwarted his attempts to reach her. Both Pennington and Spindler
were treated and released at Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
A preliminary report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed the victim, Marion W. Gatton (81) succumbed to smoke inhalation complicated by thermal burn injuries received during the fire. Working smoke alarms were located inside the dwelling.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire
protection engineering.
Previous Press Release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal on April 16, 2014: The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation into a fatal fire that claimed the life of, Marion W. Gatton (81) and injured two adults during a fire at 19555 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park.
The 1:16 p.m. one alarm blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes by nearly 55 firefighters from Bay District, Ridge, Hollywood, 2nd District, St. Leonard, 7th District and Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Departments. First responders located the unconscious victim inside her bedroom and were not able to revive her after valiant efforts. The victims’ caretaker, Delores Pennington (47) located a fire in the kitchen and was not able to control the flames. She received burn injuries to her hands before escaping the heavy smoke. An active duty U.S. Marine, Jon Spindler was in the area and tried to make entry to assist the victim inside the bedroom and received moderate smoke inhalation injuries before escaping the blaze. Both Pennington and Spindler were transported to the Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The body of the victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for determination of cause of death. The cause for the fire remains under investigation at this time.
Original press release from the BayNet Staff:
A house fire with people trapped inside on Three Notch Road, at St. James was dispatched Wednesday, April 16 at 1:17 p.m.
Fire and Rescue companies from Bay District, Ridge, Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, Seventh District and Hollywood
are on scene.
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