Woman dies from fire caused by 'improperly discarded smoking materials' in Dundalk

BALTIMORE -- An early morning fire in Dundalk took the life of a woman, a dog, and left a man in critical condition. 

Miana Massey spoke with neighbors, and heard from fire crews about how the blaze started.

"I saw them drag the hoses in. I could see the fire coming from the back of the house and the smoke," Al Donaldson, a neighbor, said. "My first thoughts were for tom and his wife, and they have two German Shepherds." 

Fire crews responded to the 2100 block of Shortway just after 2:30 a.m. 

"They arrived within minutes and had heavy fire coming from the home, they went immediately to attacking the fire and searching the home," Lieutenant Travis Francis said. 

Firefighters found Barbara Spokus, 70, dead inside the home. 

A man is in critical condition, and a dog has also died, according to fire crews.

The Baltimore City Fire Department said the fire started when someone improperly discarded smoking materials.    

"They may have been in bed or on the couch, but however they were smoking, they did not discard the cigarettes in a proper container."  

Neighbors who told WJZ they were devastated said the couple lived in the community for years.  

Investigators are still surveying the extensive damage, and working to notify family members.  

"Any fire that's fatal - it affects us and families also they are in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time," Francis said.