Chevy Chase Apartment Fire

A little after 8 pm last night, MCFRS Units from Bethesda Fire Station #6 were dispatched to the 4700 Block of Willard Avenue in Chevy Chase for a fire alarm sounding.

Upon arrival, firefighters quickly determined there was a fire in an apartment on the 16^th floor and called for additional resources.  The first arriving units then proceeded to the 16^th floor where they located, and rapidly extinguished, a room and contents fire in one of the apartments.

Hallway residential fire sprinklers kept the fire from spreading beyond the apartment of origin.

The residents of the apartment stated that they observed a flame on the sofa.  Before exiting the apartment, the residents unsuccessfully attempted to fight the fire with water from the sink. 

Both apartment residents were transported to a local hospital for a checkup due to smoke inhalation (both) and a minor burn (one). 

A Task Force assignment equivalent to a 2nd alarm was dispatched which brought approximately seventy-five (75) firefighters to the scene.

Damages were estimated to be in excess of $25K to building and contents.  Cause of the fire was electrical in nature.

Smoke alarms were present and did activate.  A total of six (6) residents were originally displaced as a result of the fire.  All displaced residents have been relocated and all evacuated residents were back to their apartments by 10 pm.

Later this afternoon, firefighters will return to the building to talk with residents and offer to check smoke alarms as well as hand out safety tips.

More...Willard Apts, hundreds of residents evacuated, fire is out, 2 residents being evaluated by EMS, NLT injuries pic.twitter.com/Tm5tH0MNTp

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016