WICOMICO COUNTY -- Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray is issuing a call for Marylanders to check their smoke alarms and have an escape plan after investigating two fatal fires in Maryland within hours of each other. 

Just after 9 a.m. Feb. 17, Hebron Volunteer Fire Department and nearby departments were called for a reported dwelling fire at 26357 Quantico Creek Road after the owners reported a fire in the home. When they arrived, it was reported a woman was still inside. Firefighters later located the unconscious female homeowner on the second floor. She was treated by EMS and taken to TidalHealth in Salisbury in critical condition. The victim, identified as Amy Appleby-Harris, 58, succumbed to her injuries just before 3 p.m. 

Deputy State Fire Marshals worked throughout the day to determine the cause. They concluded the fire originated in the second-floor master bedroom and was caused by smoking. Investigators confirmed the home did have working smoke detectors at the time of the fire. However, the owners had pre-existing medical conditions that prevented them from freely escaping the home. 

This is the second fatal fire within 12 hours the Office of the State Fire Marshal has investigated and comes after a man died in a shed fire in St. Mary's County just after 11 p.m Feb. 16. The cause of that fire remains under investigation, and the victim is believed to be the adult son of the owners. 

So far this year, the Office of the State Fire Marshal has recorded two confirmed fatal fires, with another four pending the results of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 

"Each year, heating and smoking-related fires are leading causes of Marylanders tragically losing their lives. You only have minutes from the sound of the first smoke alarm to escape a fire," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. "Please, make sure you check your smoke alarms today. The sooner you hear an alarm, the sooner you can get out. Have an escape plan, and once you get out, stay out. It can be a matter of life or death for you and your loved ones," stated Mowbray.