40 displaced, two pets died from apartment fire in Howard County

BALTIMORE -- An apartment fire in Howard County left 40 residents displaced and two pets dead Saturday morning, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Firefighters responded around 5 a.m. to the 6300 block of Orchard Club Drive in Elkridge for an apartment building fire just after 5:00 a.m. after a 911 call.

When they arrived, they encountered fire conditions on the second, third and fourth floors of the structure.

The incident commander requested additional firefighters and equipment.

It took about an hour to extinguish the fire, according to the department.

As a result of the blaze, 14 apartments sustained heavy damage and were deemed uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is assisting residents with temporary housing and other immediate needs.

One firefighter and a resident were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two dogs and a cat died in the fire.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.