March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

UPDATE: Fire department identifies victims of fatal Brooklyn Park fire

brooklyn parkThe three occupants killed in an early morning Brooklyn Park dwelling fire have positively identified. They are:

  • Lettitia Sinnah, age 39
  • Sundima Sinnah, age 17
  • Christopher Rickman, age 45

Just before 2:40 this morning firefighters were dispatched for a reported dwelling fire in the 100 block of Hilltop Road West. The first arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire from a two story, single family dwelling. Firefighters immediately made entry and removed the three unconscious victims from the dwelling. They were all transported to local hospitals where they were pronounced dead.

At the time of the fire, the dwelling was occupied by four family members- two parents and two sons. The fire is believed to have originated in a rear bedroom occupied by the 20 year old son. Once he discovered the fire there was a delay in calling 911 as he attempted to extinguish it himself. He evacuated the residence as did both of his parents. The 17 year old male victim remained in the dwelling on the second floor.

As the fire progressed, the mother, Lettitia Sinnah, reentered the dwelling in an attempt to rescue her son. She was overcome by smoke and heat. A neighbor, Christopher Rickman, age 45, also entered the dwelling in an attempted rescue and was also overcome by smoke and heat. All three were removed by firefighters and transported to area hospitals where they were pronounced dead.

Investigators from the Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit were on the scene and the investigation into the cause of the fire is active and ongoing. The estimated dollar loss is $125,000.

This tragic incident emphasizes the need for working smoke alarms on all levels of a residence and in every sleeping area. It is believed that smoke alarms were operative in a newer section of the house which was an addition but not in the older part of the residence. This fire also emphasizes the need for prompt evacuation and to remain outside of a dwelling once evacuated. A fire that may have caused the tragic loss of one life has resulted in the loss of three.

Firefighters will be in this Brooklyn Park neighborhood on Saturday morning assisting residents in checking their smoke alarms and installing smoke alarms for residents who do not have them.

Source: AACoFD

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