House Fire 301 S. Horners Lane

At approximately 1:20 pm on Wednesday, November 19 units from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched for a house fire at 301 S. Horners Lane in Rockville.  First arriving units reported heavy smoke as they approached the scene, which is only several blocks from Rockville Fire Station #3, and upon arrival reported fire showing and requested additional resources, which eventually escalated to a second alarm.   Three (3) occupants were in the house at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to the arrival of firefighters.  

Approximately seventy-five (75) firefighters responded to the scene. It took firefighters about 25 minutes to 'knock down' the bulk of the fire. There were no injuries.  During the extinguishing efforts a male subject approached a news camera crew and Police Officer and confessed to starting the fire along with some other details.

The on duty Fire Investigators were advised of the confession and other statements made to the cameraman and the subject was taken into custody and transported to Rockville City Police Station for questioning.  An accelerant K9 was requested from Howard County to assist Montgomery County Fire Investigators with the on scene investigation.

Fire Investigators believe the cause of the fire is incendiary in nature and resulted in more than $400,000 in damage.  There were no injuries and the Red Cross assisted six (6) adults who were displaced.  Rockville Fire Marshals & Code Enforcement posted the house unsafe to occupy.

Montgomery County Fire Investigators have charged Carlos Peralta, age 27, of S. Horners Lane with Arson - First Degree and three counts of Reckless Endangerment.  He was being detained at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, in Rockville.

A video can be found on the MCFRS News and Information Page as well.