By Andrea K. Walker , andrea.walker@baltsun.com|May 26, 2009
Fire officials will continue today investigating the cause of a four-alarm fire at two Randallstown apartment buildings that displaced 36 people from their homes Sunday night.
The fire, which was reported about 9 p.m., caused extensive damage to the Marion Square Apartments in the 4600 block of Horizon Circle near Rolling Road. During the fire, a roof fell in on one of the two-story brick buildings, which then caused the floors below it to collapse, Division Chief Michael Robinson said.
Fire officials weren't able to continue their investigation because the building was unsafe to enter, Robinson said.
"The investigator will go back [today] to continue to go through the area and the collapse," Robinson said. A cause could be determined today if the unsoundness of the building doesn't further hamper the investigation, Robinson said.
Baltimore County's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security coordinated with the Red Cross and the apartment complex to find shelter for those displaced. The Red Cross gave vouchers to 17 families for food and clothing and helped another find a hotel room, said spokesman Douglas Lent. Most families stayed with relatives and friends.
A call left on the answering machine for the apartment complex was not returned.
Two people suffered minor injuries and were taken to Northwest Hospital, fire officials said. A firefighter was also treated and released, Robinson said.
The fire went to four alarms by 10 p.m. At one point, flames went through the roof of one building, forcing firefighters inside to retreat and attack the fire from outside. Total damage is estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million, according to the Fire Department.
