Man Dies In House Fire

A man was found dead in a Columbia house fire early Friday, according to the Sun

As flames shot out of windows from the second floor and attic of the Victorian-style house overlooking Lake Elkhorn, two neighbors who work as police officers for the U.S. Justice Department broke first-floor windows to get inside, according to witnesses. They managed to rescue Hong's two dogs, but were forced out of the home as flames moved down the staircase from the second floor.

Firefighters put the fire out by 6:30 a.m., Howard County police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said.

Because there was a fatality, police and fire officials were investigating whether foul play was involved.