Firefighters battled a fire that spread over several buildings Monday afternoon in the Carrollton Ridge neighborhood of West Baltimore.
When firefighters arrived at 3 p.m., they found heavy smoke coming from the second and third floors of three vacant homes on Fulton Avenue, according to Samuel Johnson, Baltimore City Fire Department spokesman. The fire spread to an occupied home and a tax preparation business and beauty salon around the corner on Wilkens Avenue, Johnson said.
The fire was under control around 4 p.m., Johnson said. There were no injuries.
The owner of the one occupied home was away at the time of the fire but her nine cats were in the house, Johnson said. One cat was rescued and the others escaped. Neighborhood services has been requested to help with the displaced family and business.
The cause is under investigation. Fire investigators have determined that there is a $140,000 damage assessment.
Neighbor Rosalie Jenkins said residents have been asking the city to tear down the vacants, where the fire started. "That jeopardizes other people's families." she said.