A rowhouse fire Thursday left one Baltimore City Fire Department firefighter dead and four other firefighters injured.

The two-alarm fire engulfed several brick rowhouses in the 5200 block of Linden Heights Avenue. Firefighters arrived at the scene at around 3:45 p.m. 

“A hero lost their life tonight putting Baltimore first,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a press conference.

Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said the fire “just started to grow very rapidly.”

Fire officials have not released the name of the deceased, pending next-of-kin notification. The remaining injured firefighters, meanwhile, incurred varying levels of burns and are receiving medical treatment. 

Three of the injured are in serious condition, while one is expected out of the hospital within 24 hours, according to 
The Baltimore Sun. 

While one of the buildings appeared to have been occupied before the fire, no residents were reported injured. The cause and point of origin of the fire are still under investigation.

In a statement addressed to department members on Facebook, Chief Wallace mourned the death.

“The loss of our fellow firefighter is an indescribable tragedy. … During this time of immense sorrow, let us draw strength from one another and the bond that unites us as a fire department family. We mourn the loss of our fallen comrade, cherishing the memories we shared and the impact he made on our lives,” Mr. Wallace wrote.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.