Two adults and a dog killed in early-morning Havre de Grace house fire on Erie Street

Fatal fire reported shortly after 1 a.m.

An early-morning house fire in Havre de Grace left two adults and a dog dead on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after flames spread through a two-story home on Erie Street. A third person in the home escaped by jumping from a second-floor window. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Emergency crews were dispatched in the overnight hours as the fire rapidly intensified. Investigators later said the fire’s most likely origin area was the first-floor living room, while the victims were located upstairs.

Victims found in second-floor bedroom

Authorities confirmed that an 85-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man were found dead inside a second-floor bedroom. A dog also died in the fire. The identities of the deceased were released as Camellia Hicks and Howard Hicks.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed the deaths at the scene. Officials have not announced any preliminary determination of how the victims died beyond their recovery inside the fire-damaged home.

Survivor alerted by smoke alarm, escaped through window

The couple’s adult son, James Clark, survived after being awakened by a smoke alarm while on the second floor. Investigators said he ran downstairs and encountered heavy fire conditions, then returned upstairs, exited through a window, and jumped from the second story to escape.

Clark was not reported to have suffered major injuries. He told investigators the home belonged to him and that his parents had lived there for decades.

Firefighter treated after electric shock

During the response, a firefighter from the Susquehanna Hose Company suffered an electric shock and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Officials described the injury as minor.

Investigation ongoing; no criminal indicators reported

Fire investigators said there was no immediate evidence of criminal activity and that the investigation is focused on identifying accidental causes. The timeline of ignition and the specific factor that started the fire had not been released by late Wednesday.

• Location: Erie Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland
• Date and time: March 11, 2026, shortly after 1 a.m.
• Fatalities: two adults and a dog
• Survivor: adult son escaped from second-floor window after smoke alarm activation
• Origin area under review: first-floor living room

Officials emphasized that a working smoke alarm can provide critical seconds to escape, but that rapid fire growth can quickly cut off exit routes—especially in multi-story homes.