Twelve residents were displaced after four homes caught fire Sunday in Baltimore's Highlandtown community, according to the Baltimore Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in the 3400 block of East Baltimore Street. No injuries were reported, fire officials said.

The fire department warns the public to expect extensive delays in the immediate surrounding area.  

"It was a terrible fire. You couldn't even see the trees right here, it was so dark," said neighbor Gerard Oliver. "The black smoke was so thick."

Recently devastating Baltimore-area fires

Recently, fires have damaged many structures in Baltimore.

A 7-alarm fire at a West Baltimore warehouse fueled by stacks of mattresses forced nearby residents to be temporarily relocated on May 12. The fire also delayed Amtrak train service along the East Coast, from Wilmington, Delaware, to Washington, D.C.

More than 200 firefighters battled to contain the flames. There were no injuries in the fire.

"I'm going to speak for all the neighbors," neighbor Sharon Jones said. "All of us feel very fortunate that it didn't get to us like that. It could have been worse if all of these houses had burned up along with that building."

Then, on May 14, Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood was struck with another devastating fire.

More than 60 firefighters battled the three-alarm fire in the 3400 block of Keswick Road.

Neighbors said a fire had sparked on the same block days earlier.

In October 2024, a set of homes caught fire along the same block, killing a married couple and displacing dozens of other residents.

Also on May 14, an elderly couple died in a house fire on Gunpowder Drive in Joppa.

 An elderly couple died after a home caught fire in Harford County early Wednesday. Neighbors called 911 just after 8 a.m. to report the fire at a home on Gunpowder Drive in Joppa.

Both adults -- identified as 82-year-old Cliff Long and 81-year-old Miriam Long -- were pronounced dead. 

"So when I woke up, I heard sirens and everything, and then I go to look outside and there were flames above the trees," said neighbor Zoe Kahler.

Baltimore Fire Department mourns 2 firefighter deaths

This week was heartbreaking for the Baltimore Fire Department.

Two firefighters died following what the fire department called "medical emergencies."

Lt. Mark Dranbauer was on Friday, May 16, days after suffering a medical emergency while battling a fire on West Saratoga Street. Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said Dranbauer was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he fell backward down the ladder, and crews had to remove him.

Fire officials said the 44-year-old veteran was pronounced dead at the hospital and is donating his organs.

Charlie Mudra, an emergency vehicle driver for the Baltimore City Fire Department, died after suffering a medical issue during a skills training session at the Fire Academy on Friday,  May 16, according to Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 744.

Mudra was with the first department for 17 years.