A 73-year-old man was killed last night while trying to escape from the second floor of his burning West Baltimore rowhouse.

Fire officials said Leon Baker of the 2000 block of Pennsylvania Ave. was trapped on the second floor of the burning house and was overcome by smoke.

When firefighters arrived at about 8: 15 p.m., the upper story of the house was engulfed in flames, making a rescue virtually impossible.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Pub Date: 2/28/99