Woman, 70, Dies in Catonsville Townhome Fire

A 70-year-old woman died yesterday in a one-alarm Catonsville house fire.

The victim is Kathleen Benedick of the 400 block of Lambeth Road, Catonsville.

Fire crews responded to the 400 block of Lambeth Road at 1:50 p.m. for a report of a dwelling fire. Units arrived four minutes later and found smoke coming from the front of the home. An additional rescue assignment was requested when they learned a resident was unaccounted for. They found her, in cardiac arrest, on the second floor and transferred her to the care of EMS providers. She was transported to St. Agnes Hospital, where doctors provided additional treatment before pronouncing her dead. 

The one-alarm fire was placed under control at 2:57 p.m.

BCoPD fire investigators have ruled this an accidental fire caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.