A Second Baltimore Firefighter Has Died After Battling Rowhouse Fireplace

]A second Baltimore firefighter has died from accidents sustained whereas battling a quickly intensifying blaze that engulfed a number of rowhouses in northwest Baltimore final week, a metropolis official mentioned.

Lt. Dillon Rinaldo was hospitalized in important however secure situation after the fireplace final Thursday afternoon. He later succumbed to his accidents, Baltimore Metropolis Corridor spokesperson Bryan Doherty confirmed Wednesday morning.

Rinaldo joined the division in 2017, in accordance with a metropolis database.

Within the hours after the fireplace, officers introduced the death of Rinaldo’s colleague, firefighter Rodney Pitts III, who had one yr of service with the division. A funeral for Pitts is scheduled for Friday.

Three different firefighters have been additionally injured. Their up to date situations weren’t instantly accessible, however officers mentioned Friday that two had been launched from the hospital.

Baltimore Fireplace Chief James Wallace mentioned throughout a Friday information convention that the investigation into what brought on the fireplace is ongoing.

At the moment, Wallace mentioned, Rinaldo remained in important situation at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Middle’s burn heart.

Wallace mentioned hearth officers and town’s mayor visited the hospital and met with Rinaldo’s dad and mom and fiancée, describing them as “stunning individuals, deeply harm, very similar to our members are, however they know we’re wrapping our arms round them and we’re going to supply them with the assist that they want.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott additionally mentioned he spoke with Pitts’ household and realized that he cherished working for the division.

“He was so excited and so proud to be a firefighter in his city,” he mentioned.

The Baltimore Fireplace Division has confronted rising controversy in latest months over its insurance policies and coaching after three firefighters died whereas battling a vacant rowhouse fire early final yr. Native officers referred to as for extra oversight of the company and the division’s earlier chief resigned amid the turmoil.

The hearth final Thursday intensified quickly whereas firefighters have been battling it from inside a constructing, officers have mentioned.

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