Officials Investigate Fatal Fire at Main Street Thrift Shop

Police are investigating an early Tuesday morning fire at a thrift shop operated by the Westminster Rescue Mission at 30 West Main St in Westminster. A deceased homeless woman's body was found in the fire at the back of the building, according to a police report.

Deputy State Fire Marshals, Maryland State Police and the Westminster Police Department are participating in the investigation.

At approximately 1:49 a.m. the Westminster Fire Department responded to the one alarm fire at the rear of the thrift shop structure and quickly located the remains of a body and clothing effects burning on the rear dock of the building, according to a police report.

Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the victim was determined to be deceased on the scene, according to a police report.

The cause for the fire remains under investigation. Damage to the structure is considered to be minimal. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine identity and cause of death.

The article was updated at 10:45 a.m. to reflect that the fire took place at the thrift shop owned by the Westminster Rescue Mission and not at the Westminster Rescue Mission itself which is located on Lucabaugh Mill Road.

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