Disasters · Wilmington townhome fireWilmington townhome fire: Two adults killed, two firefighters injuredAired October 21, 2026 at 5:45 AM UTCWritten October 21, 2026 at 5:48 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07A townhome fire killed two adults and forced firefighters back from collapsing0:11floors.0:12Two firefighters also needed hospital treatment, and a family is mourning a husband0:16and wife.0:17Investigators still have to determine what started the fire.0:20Heavy flames filled the three-story home at 8th and Maryland Avenues in Wilmington,0:24Delaware.0:24The fire happened early Tuesday, October 20, 2026.0:28Firefighters arrived shortly before 3 a.m.0:30and found fire throughout the building.0:32Crews tried to get inside twice.0:34Each time, extreme heat and collapsing floors drove them back.0:37Firefighters then fought the blaze from outside.0:40They later found two adults dead inside the home.0:42Neighbors woke to alarms and smoke.0:45They saw flames coming through windows and burning embers falling from the roof.0:49As the fire spread, people nearby were trying to get others out of the houses and0:53away from danger.0:58The blaze began at about 2.45 a.m.1:01Firefighters arrived shortly before 3 a.m.1:03and the fire was reportedly under control by 5:10 a.m.1:06that left crews battling the overnight blaze for more than two hours.1:09Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.1:11Both were treated at area hospitals and released.1:14Inside the neighborhood, the danger had reached beyond the burning home.1:18Brennan Rivers woke to alarms and smoke seeping into his own house.1:21Rivers focused on getting people out and away as quickly as possible.1:25He described the priority plainly.1:27We can save the property later, but get the people out first.1:30Glenrick Squires lives two doors down and had known the couple for years.1:34It really could have been my house and my family.1:36He said, he remembered the husband as a longtime friend and a positive influence,1:40someone he spent time talking with.1:42Squires struggled to take in the loss of both husband and wife.1:45Sharon Osborne said the woman who died was her older sister.1:48The other victim was her sister's husband.1:50Family members identified the couple as John Potete and his wife, Tanya.1:54Her first name has been spelled two ways, and the spelling hasn't been settled.1:58Authorities hadn't released the victims' names on October 20th.2:01Osborne was speaking with her pastor as she tried to cope with the news.2:05It was a bad fire that took the life from both of them, she said.2:08Investigators are working to determine the cause.2:10Officials haven't clarified what condition the damaged home and neighboring2:14properties were left in.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗