Crime & Safety

Authorities Release Name of Elderly Man Killed in Palco Place House Fire

An elderly man was killed and his wife was hospitalized after a fire at the couple's house Sunday. Authorities said rescue efforts were hampered by the volume of material in the house.

Authorities have confirmed that a homeowner died Sunday morning in a fire at his house in the 5200 block of Palco Place in College Park. The fire reportedly started around 5 a.m. in the two-story house, according to WUSA9.com.

Mark E. Brady, chief spokesman for the Prince George's County Fire/EMS, told Patch that Reginald Orem, 82, died in the blaze. His wife was hospitalized.

The cause remains under investigation, Brady said, although authorities hope to release that information on Tuesday.

Heather Rivas, a neighbor, told the TV station "when I looked out of the house it was engulfed in flames. The flames were just coming out of the roof."

Firefighters encountered large amounts of paper, binders and books packed into the house.

Brady said the clutter in the house made it difficult for rescuers. "I'm sure the occupants knew where those passageways were, firefighters were challenged to negotiate that."

Orem's body was found on the second floor, reported NBCWashington.com. The station reported his wife had escaped the blaze, but re-entered in an attempt to rescue her husband.

Firefighters say the house was piled from top to bottom. This is the the second day in a row Prince George's County firefighters have had to battle hoarding type conditions, the TV station said.

On Saturday, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said large amounts of material made it challenging to fight an electrical fire on Walters Lane in Forestville. An 85-year-old woman and her son escaped their burning house. Three firefighters were taken to the hospital with burns.

As walls were torn down at the house in College Park, it revealed piles stacked everywhere. 

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The victim's identity has not been officially released, according to the fire department's blog post. An autopsy will be required to confirm positive identification.

The status of a smoke alarm in the residence is unknown, the blog said. Fire loss is estimated at $100,000, according to the department's blog. 

Neighbor Wallie Brockway said, "We've known them a long time. Our kids grew up together. It's sad."

Nearly 100 firefighters responded; none of them were injured.

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