Glen Echo House Fire Displaces Family Of Five

On Thursday, July 14 at approximately 4:30 p.m. MCFRS units were dispatched for a report of a house fire in the 6700 block of Rannoch Road in the Glen Echo area of the county. First arriving units reported smoke showing from a two-story, single family home.

Upon further investigation, firefighters reported the fire was in the basement with some extension to the first floor. Additional firefighting resources were requested and dispatched. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished.

A family of five was home at the time and safely evacuated. They reported the home lost power and shortly thereafter smelled a slight burning odor. A short time later, smoke became heavy in the basement and they called 911.

Approximately 75 firefighters were on the scene. Crews were rotated frequently during operations and overhaul due to the high temps and heat index which was well over 100°. MCFRS was assisted by mutual aid crews from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, National Institutes of Health Fire Department, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Fire Department. One firefighter was transported with a heat related illness to an area hospital for a checkup.

Investigation determined the cause of the fire to be electrical and accidental in nature. Damages were estimated at $150,000.00 to the contents and $50,000.00 to the structure. Two adults, three children and two dogs have been displaced as a result of the fire. Firefighters will be going back out to the community later today and going door to door offering to check smoke alarms and provide safety tips.

Glen Echo House Fire Displaces Family Of Four

On Friday, July 8 at approximately 12:36 p.m. MCFRS units responded to the 5400 block of Mohican Road in the Glen Echo area of the county for a report of flames coming from a house.  Units arrived on the scene of a one story, single family home with heavy smoke and fire evident from the rear of the home. An RID and Task Force assignment were immediately dispatched.

The crew from PE711 initiated an attack on the bulk of the fire which was throughout the first floor of the home. Limited access and steep terrain in the rear, as well as building construction that included many additions and void spaces made it challenging for firefighters.

Other crews performed a search and rescue of the home to ensure none of the occupants was still inside. It was quickly learned that the family of four was out of town on vacation. A neighbor had called 911 after noticing the smoke and fire.

Firefighters did manage to find and rescue a large turtle that is a family pet.  

Over 75 firefighters responded to the scene. There were no civilian injuries while one firefighter did suffer from a heat related illness and treated.

Cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damages were estimated to be $650,000.00 to the structure and $150,000.00 to the contents. A family of four has been displaced as a result of the fire.