Burning towel caused fatal Brooklyn Park fire Pastor’s wife, son and neighbor died in Feb. 10 blaze at United Brethren parsonage

The Brooklyn Park fire that killed three people in February was likely caused by a towel left too close to a hot lamp, Anne Arundel County Fire Department officials said Tuesday.

The finding confirms early reports that the Feb. 10 fire was caused by a lamp in a bedroom at the back of the building on Hilltop Road, the parsonage for the United Brethren in Christ Church.

Michael Busker, associate pastor, said a copy of the fire marshal's report provided to the church found the cloth towel was placed over a lamp and ignited.

While the fire department investigation is closed, Busker said, the church's insurance company must still complete its own investigation before the church can rebuild.

"There was relief that that part was over and the determination was made and that we can go forward and try to recover more completely," Busker said.

The Rev. Samuel Sinnah, pastor of the church, Lettitia Sinnah and their oldest son, Joseph Sinnah, escaped the home after the blaze began at 124 W. Hilltop Road about 2:40 a.m. But another son, Sundima Sinnah, 17, was still inside.

Lettitia, 39, ran back inside in an attempt to save her son. Neighbor Chris Rickman, 45, ran in after her. All three died.

In a timeline released by the Anne Arundel County Fire Department along with a recording of 911 calls, the first call for help came at 2:39 a.m. from Samuel Sinnah.

"We are losing three people, three people right now," he told the dispatcher.

The dispatcher replied: "Can you get them out of the house? Can you get them out of the house? Can you get them out of the house? ... Sir, get them out of the house."

"The smoke is so much ... three people in the house," Sinnah said.

It took 55 firefighters about an hour to control the blaze, which caused about $125,000 in damage.

Sundima, known as Sunny, was a senior at North County High School. Days after the fire, hundreds of North County High School students gathered to remember the boy they described as goofy and positive.

One alumna who was close to Sunny started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with funeral costs for the family. The funeral was possibly one of the first to be held at the high school.

"I'm still very grateful to the students at North County High for their turnout and their support," Busker said. "(They) are some of the most wonderful youth there are. They will always hold a special place in our hearts."

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Fundraiser

United Brethren in Christ Church will host a Soup-R-Supper on Saturday, with proceeds going toward rebuilding the parsonage. The church will serve several different soups, chili and sandwiches from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and free for children under 2. All are welcome to attend.

Tickets to the Soup-R-Supper can be purchased at the door of the fellowship hall at 201 W. Hilltop Road, or reservations can be made by calling 410-207-0436.