TEMPLE HILLS, Md. (AP) —
Investigators in a Maryland suburb of Washington say a malfunctioning electrical outlet caused a house fire that killed a woman and her adult son.
A spokesman for Prince George's County Fire said in a statement Monday that there were no working fire alarms in the Temple Hills house that burned on Nov. 15.
Officials say 83-year-old Louvenia Goldson and her son, 62-year-old Eugene Goldson, who lived in the home, died at a hospital after being removed from the basement of the home.
The house — located in the 5200 block of Lorraine Drive in Temple Hills — had no working smoke alarms, the fire department says.
Two firefighters were taken to a burn unit with burns to their ears. They were expected to be OK after treatment, fire officials said.
At the time of the fire, neighbors said they had rushed to the house to help, but the flames were too intense for them to continue.
"All I heard was, 'Help, help! Please help me!'" neighbor Brandon Clay said.
Anyone who in Prince George's County needs a working smoke alarm but cannot afford or install one is urged to call 311. A firefighter will install a smoke alarm for free.