Madeleine Mosher
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
As fire officials investigate the cause of Sunday’s three-alarm blaze that injured three adults and two children, city officials got busy Monday collecting donations for the Northwest Baltimore families impacted by the major fire.
City Council President Brandon M. Scott tweeted late Monday that the Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development would accept and distribute donations at Edgecombe Elementary school on Virginia Avenue until Friday. He said people can drop off items between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the school’s cafeteria. Pickup will be open until 3 p.m. in the same place, he said.
“Please note that these donations are only available to residents directly impacted by the fire,” Scott’s tweet said.
Baltimore Fire Department officials were investigating the fire that erupted around 10 p.m. Sunday in the 4300 block of Lanier Avenue, north of Cold Spring Lane. Residents also reported an explosion. Firefighters worked all night to extinguish the fire.
Two children ages 3 and 4 and a pregnant woman were hospitalized. Fire officials tweeted late Monday that three have been released but did not specify further. Scott said that seven people have been displaced.
A Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. press release said no evidence of a gas leak was found to support reports of a gas-related explosion. BGE officials turned off gas and electricity in the area at the request of the fire department.
City officials said they will accept donations of new blankets, water, large black trash bags, personal protective equipment and coats for medium women, large- and extra-large men, size six boys and 11- to 13-year-old girls.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the hospitalized victims and their families,” Scott said in his press release.