My Update on the fire on 300 Block of E 31st Street
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, around 4:30am three homes caught on fire on the 300 Block of E. 31st Street down the street from where I live in Abell/Charles Village. I have been on the scene since then - talking with and helping neighbors. This was one of several fires that was happening in the area at the same time - dumpster fire, car fire, Pride flag fire, and this larger fire which started on the porch of the middle house (that also had a Pride flag). While three people were taken to the hospital that morning, two were released from Shock Trauma yesterday, and one remains but seems to be doing ok. The homes are destroyed but the homeowners are determined to rebuild. Mayor Scott and Chief Ford called in the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to investigate - which means we have the best in the business investigating this fire. We still do not know if these are all related and we do not know if it was a hate crime. However, we have confirmed that all the fires were set deliberately and intentionally.
It is a disturbing set of circumstances, and we want to catch this person asap so that it does not happen again. If anyone has any information, please send it to me or to the Baltimore Fire Department. Once we know of ways to help the homeowners impacted by this fire, we will certainly let you know.
Thank you to our Fire Fighters who came in 5 minutes and were able to extinguish the fire shortly afterwards. Their quick work saved lives and property, and a few pets. I am eternally grateful to them – especially having to deal with so many fires at the same time.
This neighborhood is tight nit, diverse, and welcoming. Abell/Charles Village was the first place that LGBTQ residents in Baltimore felt comfortable - and remains so today. We also put up a fight to protect our own-each and every time. I want to thank the neighbors who took off work yesterday to support the homeowners and be available for the investigators. Community members also came to comfort, feed, and ensure all the neighbors on the block were doing ok. I am grateful to live here and honored to represent this community.