PHOTO COURTESY OF OCEAN PINES VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPVFD was joined by eight other fire departments to battle deadly fire on Seafarer Lane, taking the life of one man.

(Feb. 23, 2023) A residential structure fire at 116 Seafarer Lane in Ocean Pines on Tuesday evening resulted in the death of its occupant and injuries to three firefighters, the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office reported.

According to that report, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a house fire at 5:58 p.m. Tuesday. Upon arrival, crews found a significate blaze in progress throughout the home and were advised that a possible subject was trapped inside.

Additional assistance was requested from Ocean City, Showell, Berlin, Bishopville, Selbyville, Roxana, Frankford and Dagsboro fire departments in Maryland and Delaware.

After conditions improved, fire crews brought the fire under control and found a deceased adult male inside, the fire marshal’s office said. The victim has been identified as 62-year-old Timothy Jay Cooper.

Three firefighters were also injured battling the fire, according to the fire marshal, with one requiring transport to a local hospital for a hand injury.

A joint investigation was conducted by the fire marshal’s office and the Ocean Pines Police Department. Investigators were assisted by the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office K9 Unit and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The cause of the fire is considered undetermined, but it was found to have originated in the laundry room area of the home. Smoke alarms were present at the time of the fire, the fire marshal said.