An unidentified man, believed to be in his 70s, died early Thursday after he was injured in a fire at a downtown high rise, fire officials said.
The man was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview at about 9 p.m. Wednesday from a unit on the 16th floor of Westminster House Apartments in the 500 block of N. Charles St. He was suffering from second- and third-degree burns and smoke inhalation, but investigators are waiting for the medical examiner's report to determine the exact cause of death.
The man has not yet been officially identified, investigators said.
Investigators said the victim likely opened the door on a microwave while wearing an oxygen mask after discovering his food was burning. The oxygen from his mask fed the flames and caused the man to fall to the floor.
Four other residents of the building, which predominantly houses seniors, were treated for injuries that were not considered serious, fire officials said.
Fire Chief James Clack said the situation is a reminder to install smoke alarms. Cooking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths for seniors, according to Baltimore City Fire Department.
Baltimore City firefighters will visit homes in the Mount Vernon neighborhood from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to inform residents about the death, offer the installation of free smoke alarms and provide fire safety tips.
City residents can call 311 to have firefighters come to your home to install a free alarm.
Baltimore Sun reporter Yvonne Wenger contributed to this article.
Mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com
Man dies of injuries in downtown apartment fire
A kitchen fire occurred in a 16th-floor apartment of the Westminster House at 524 N. Charles St. about 7 p.m. Wednesday. An occupant of the apartment suffered second- and third-degree burns and was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital. (Kenneth K. Lam / The Baltimore Sun)