News

House Fire with Entrapment - 117 Branch Street
Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a residential house fire at 117 Branch Street in Berlin, Maryland. The fire was reported at 6PM on Thursday evening, April 17, 2014. Arriving firefighters found the two story home with heavy smoke showing and fire venting from the front of the house. The fire was dispatched with possible entrapment and prior to the fire department's arrival; two Berlin Police Officers rescued a 6 year old girl by breaking a window and pulling her to safety. However, the girl’s 31 year old mother, Tocarra Derrickson was trapped on the second floor. Her location was known because personnel on the ground could see her and she was on the phone with 911 at the time of the fire. Ms. Derrickson eventually collapses, but was rescued by fire personnel. She was transported to AGH and then flown to John Hopkins. At 1AM this morning (4/18/2014) she was released from John Hopkins but admitted to Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore where she remains in critical but stable condition. Two Berlin Police Officers were taken to AGH for inhalation of smoke and two Berlin Firefighters were transported to AGH and treated for injuries and released. The house is owned by Gerald and Marcelle Derrickson. Their daughter, the fire victim, and her two children ages 8 and 6 also reside at the house. Only the victim and her 6 year old daughter were home at the time of the fire. Firefighters from Berlin, Showell, Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Newark Volunteer Fire Companies responded to the alarm. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call 410.632.5666.