A fire in Edgewood Tuesday morning revealed a network of converted trailers, shipping containers and campers being used as makeshift homes for at least eight people in the midst of an auto scrapyard.
Officials from Harford County investigating the aftermath of the fire found at least six containers, tractor-trailers and storage units at Auto Wreckers of Edgewood, furnished with beds and tables and supplied with illegal water and electricity through hoses and extension cords, said Richard Lynch, head of the Department of Inspections, Licensing and Permits.
But John Lucich, 49, owner of the sprawling scrapyard littered with twisted wrecks of junked automobiles and rusted engine blocks said the people living on the property were just several employees spending the night.
“Some of my employees spend the night occasionally rather than driving home to Baltimore,” he said.
Around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, firefighters were called to the scrapyard at 1706 Pulaski Highway for a fire in a mobile home on the site, said fire and EMS spokesman Richard Gardiner.
A mobile home and an RV were completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and one occupant sustained minor burns to his right hand and left shoulder attempting to rescue his dog from the flames, Gardiner said. The man, identified as Greg Wagner by Deputy State Fire Marshal Derek Chapman, refused treatment at the scene and said he would drive himself to the hospital later.
About 20 people were at the scene watching the fire, but none could communicate with firefighters, police and investigators, said Lynch. A translator who could speak Spanish was brought in by the Sheriff?s Office, and it was determined that at least eight of them were residents of the shanties.
The property is owned by Doris and Jerry Martinez of Lewes, Del., according to state property records, and the county is currently trying to contact them to discuss cleaning up the site, Lynch said.
“The next step for us is to contact the property owner, put together a timeline for cleanup and taking care of the hazards,” he said. “Number two is looking at whether or not we?ll file criminal sanctions or not.”
Sgt. Christina Presberry, spokeswoman for the Harford County Sheriff?s Office,said the immigration status of the residents had not been determined.
Reyes Carrabanza, an immigrant from Mexico said he lost all his papers in the fire, including his passport, green card and visa. Carrabanza said through an interpreter he had been staying in trailer overnight while carpet was being laid in his house in Aberdeen.
Lucich said he that as far as he knew, all the immigrants working at Autowrecker had green cards.
“My biggest dilemma is my heart, I help people who are down on their luck,” he said.
Because of all the fire engines and equipment in the road, the westbound lanes of Route 40 were closed from 8:30-11:00 a.m., Presberry said.
