WALDORF, Md. — A young woman and an infant are dead following a two-alarm fire in Charles County that broke out Thursday night, according to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. Police were also able to confirm that an assault occurred at the house before the fire.
Police and fire crews were dispatched to 3070 Heathcote Road in Waldorf around 10:37 p.m. for reports of an assault and house fire. Once on scene, responders found a townhome fully engulfed in flames.
The circumstances sparked an intense law enforcement investigation that is ongoing, according to Diane Richardson, the spokesperson for the Charles County Sheriff's Department.
"There was some kind of an altercation that took place, almost simultaneously with the fire," Richardson reported.
Richardson said that when rescuers extinguished the fire, the bodies of two people-- a woman in her mid-20s and a baby girl -- were discovered. Both were pronounced dead.
"Right now we know two things," Richardson said. "One that there are two people deceased inside of the place, but we don't know if they were deceased prior to the fire or because of the fire. And second, we don't know if the fire was started intentionally or if it was an accident."
The identities and relationship of the people who died in the fire have not been announced by authorities.
A total of 46 firefighters responded to the scene. The fire was put out and crews checked for any additional smoldering or hot spots. There is significant damage to the home and the adjoining townhomes in the area, officials said.
Fire officials say there were no injuries to any of the firefighters who responded.
The investigation is being handled by the Charles County Sheriff's Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The cause and estimate of the damage will be determined by the fire marshal's office. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death of the woman and child.
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