Forty people displaced; three pets killed following a apartment fire in Elkridge

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

Authorities say 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.

According to officials, crews immediately began assisting residents out and searching the building.

The blaze reportedly took crews about an hour to get under control. Following the blaze, an overhaul and assessment of the damage deemed 14 apartments inhabitable.

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

Two dogs and a cat perished in the fire.

The Red Cross is assisting families who were affected by the blaze with temporary housing and other immediate needs.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.