40 people displaced; three pets killed after an apartment fire in Elkridge

Forty people were displaced, and three pets died in a massive two-alarm apartment fire in Howard County Saturday.

It happened around 5 a.m. in the 6000 block of Orchard Club Drive. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered flames coming from the second, third, and fourth floors of the building.

Crews immediately began assisting residents out and searching the building. It took them about an hour to get under control.

In all, 14 apartments were deemed inhabitable.

One firefighter was transported to the hospital for a minor injury, a resident was evaluated on the scene, and another was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Two dogs and a cat died in the fire.

The Red Cross helped families affected by the fire with temporary housing and other immediate needs.

The cause is still under investigation.