Report: No One Cause In Md. Firefighter's Death

TOWSON, Md. (AP) -- Baltimore County officials say investigators could find no one cause for the death of a firefighter killed in a four-alarm blaze last year.

Volunteer firefighter Mark Falkenhan died while looking for trapped people inside a burning apartment building in Hillendale.

Fire Chief John Hohman said in a report released Wednesday that a detailed analysis of the incident found that several minor issues stacked up and proved "catastrophic."

Investigators found that unattended cooking started the fire in a basement apartment. They found that during the fire, Falkenhan and his partner became separated and only Falkenhan had a radio.

The report recommends several changes, including requiring all fire personnel to carry portable radios when they're in immediate danger and new communication training for mayday procedures.

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