6-month-old dead, dozens displaced in Baltimore County fires Friday night

A six-month-old girl was killed, and dozens of people were displaced as two massive fires broke out in Baltimore County, Maryland, on Friday night. 

The Baltimore County Fire Department said the baby, identified as Sophia Rivera-Cortes, died from her injuries after a house fire in Essex. 

More than a dozen people were displaced from another fire that broke out at a high-rise apartment in Dundalk, according to the American Red Cross. A deputy fire chief said the complex mainly houses seniors.

Baby girl suffered fatal injuries in Essex house fire

Rivera-Cortes died, and three people were hospitalized after what first responders described as an "intense" dwelling fire in Essex. 

The fire reported at a home in the 1000 block of Foxcroft Lane in Essex was under control and remains under investigation, per the Baltimore County Fire Department (BCoFD).  

When crews initially arrived at 7 p.m., they witnessed the blaze spreading from one house to another. 

Shortly before 8 p.m., officials reported that one person was suffering from life-threatening injuries. Later that evening, Captain Len Stewart of Baltimore County Fire Department confirmed that the individual was under the age of 13 years old.

Three other patients were taken to the hospital as well for smoke inhalation treatment.

The home is now uninhabitable as it needed to be completely gutted.

Community reaction

"I looked out, and I saw the smoke above this rooftop," said Jon Callender, a neighbor.  "I saw two children being loaded into an ambulance."

Following the tragedy,  Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier released a statement, stating, "I am deeply saddened for the family who lost their six-month-old child in last night's tragic fire. No parent should ever have to endure such an unimaginable loss, and all of Baltimore County mourns alongside them. I want to thank the first responders who acted with courage and compassion during this devastating emergency, and we hold this family in our prayers."

Another neighbor, Deon Brooks, said as a dad himself, he was sad to hear the child lost her life.

"Not being able to get to that baby, that's the worst fear that I have for myself," he said.

Dundalk senior living fire displaces 20 residents 

In addition, 20 people were displaced on Friday night, according to the American Red Cross, after a fire broke out at a senior living facility in Dundalk.

Baltimore County Fire Department announced that crews were responding to a two-alarm fire at the 100 block of Center Place, Dundalk, Maryland, at 7:46 p.m.

First responding crews reported that the fire was on the third floor of a high-rise building, and one person was being evaluated when they arrived.

"We have a significant amount of water damage from there down up to and including the lobby flooding out and the ceiling falling down," said Deputy Chief Rob Kemp.

An hour later, officials tweeted that crews were assisting multiple residents who had been evacuated due to the fire and that one person had been transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Evacuees were also undergoing medical evaluation at the scene, according to BCoFD.

• Fire