2 injured in Arundel house fire in Mill Creek on Tuesday morning

Two people were injured in a house fire Tuesday morning in Arundel, Mill Creek Fire Company reported.

Firefighters said they were dispatched to 1213 Elderon Dr. at around 11:02 a.m. There, they said they found heavy smoke. The fire started in the garage and spread through the rest of the house.

By the time Mill Creek Fire Company – with the assistance of seven other local fire stations – put out the blaze, most of the house was scorched. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Witnesses identified one of the victims as 56-year-old Dorothy Hinckley, who lived in the house. They said that she refused to evacuate, so two bystanders had to “bear hug” her to pull her out. Multiple pets were also rescued, they said.

One of the bystanders was injured in the process, Mill Creek Fire Company reported. Both the bystander and Hinckley were taken to the hospital by Mill Creek ambulances. Hinckley was in serious condition, according to New Castle County paramedics. They did not report on the bystander’s condition.

One neighbor said he heard Hinckley screaming that morning. He saw the house “engulfed in smoke,” he said, and ran to call emergency services.

Hours later, firefighters were still clearing smoldering debris out of Hinckley’s house. Firetrucks and police vehicles parked up and down Elderon Drive, blocking traffic from entering and exiting the development. Residents were told to either wait in their cars or walk up the hill to their homes.