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.

Attic Fire In Rockville Home

At approximately 12:26 p.m. on Monday, July 4, MCFRS units were dispatched to the 1000 block of Julian Place in the City of Rockville for a report of an odor of smoke. While en route to the call, it was upgraded to a full assignment for a house fire.

Units arrived on scene to find a one story single family dwelling with smoke coming from the attic. Upon investigation, firefighters found a small fire in a bathroom fan that had extended into the attic near the fan. The fire was quickly extinguished.

All occupants of the home had safely exited. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Approximately 35 firefighters were on scene. Damages were estimated at $10,000.00 total.

Norbeck Road House Fire

On Saturday, July 2 at 7:14 a.m. MCFRS units were dispatched to the 2100 block of Norbeck Road for the report of a house fire with children possibly trapped. Units arrived on scene to find a two-story single family home with heavy fire evident throughout first floor.

Firefighters quickly went to work to bring the fire under control and search for any children who were reported trapped. The initial search did not result in anyone being found.

The initial 911 call was received from a passer-by who indicated she had been driving northbound on Norbeck Road when she noticed a heavy dark colored column of smoke. As she got closer, she noticed a woman standing in the road and stopped to assist. The individual stated to the passer-by that “the kids are in the kitchen” at which point the Good Samaritan called 911 and relayed this information. It was later learned that the occupant of the home was referring to a doll collection as her “kids.”

Fire Investigators have listed this fire as accidental, the result of unattended cooking.

An equivalent of two-alarms worth of apparatus plus an EMS Task Force (due to initial report of persons trapped) resulted in roughly 85-100 fire and rescue personnel, along with approximately 40 fire and rescue units, on scene at various points.

Damages were estimated at $400,000.00 to the structure and $150,000.00 to the contents of the home. There were no reported injuries to civilian or fire and rescue personnel. One adult female has been displaced as a result of the fire.

Kensington Apartment Fire

On Monday, May 2, at approximately 12:44 p.m. units from Kensington Fire Station #5 were dispatched for a report of smoke in an apartment unit in the 3300 block of University Boulevard, W. Paramedic Engine 705 arrived on the scene and found an active fire in a terrace level apartment bedroom and quickly requested additional resources.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and contain it to the apartment of origin. Crews made an attempt to evacuate occupants from the building using the local alarm system but were unable too due to a non-functioning alarm system.  Code Compliance was requested and reported to the scene.

Fire Investigators were also requested and conducted an Origin and Cause investigation. The cause was determined to be accidental and electrical in nature.

Approximately 65 firefighters responded to the scene with no injuries reported. A female occupant of another apartment was transported to a local hospital for a checkup. Damages were estimated at $100,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the contents. Several families were also displaced as a result of the fire.

Working Smoke Alarm Alerts Germantown Family To Fire

At approximately 3:23 a.m. this morning, MCFRS units responded for a reported house fire in the 13400 block of Tilford Court in Germantown. Units arrived on scene with fire showing from the rear of a two-story single family home.

Six occupants of the home, two adults and four children, were awakened by a working smoke alarm and observed the deck on fire. The family then exited the structure and called 911 once safely outside.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire which appeared to have started on the deck and then extended inside the house.

Fire Investigators arrived on scene and conducted an origin and cause investigation. Family members indicated that a charcoal cooker on the deck was used earlier in the day. Upon further examination, investigators determined that the cause of the fire was accidental, the result of a charcoal cooker.

A total of approximately 75 firefighters were on the scene. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. As a result of the damage, the family of six was displaced. Total fire loss was determined to be $100,000 to the structure and $50,000 for contents.

MCFRS would like to remind everyone that working smoke alarms save lives! Please make sure the alarms in your home work and ensure that you have a home fire escape plan. MCFRS offers free home safety evaluations and smoke alarms for those in need.

We would also like to remind all residents about Outdoor Grilling Safety.

Bethesda House Fire

At approximately 8:07 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, MCFRS units were dispatched for a report of a house fire at 5817 Sonoma Road in Bethesda.

Units arrived to find fire coming from one side of a two-story single family home on the second floor. Firefighters quickly initiated an attack and extinguished the fire. All occupants were safely out of the home.

The occupants of the home, three adults, indicated they had been at the park down the street 15 minutes earlier. As they returned home, they noticed fire coming from a window on the side of the home and called 911.

Fire Investigators conducted an Origin and Cause examination and have listed the cause currently as undetermined.

As a result of the fire, three adults and four pets have been displaced. There were no injuries to civilian or fire and rescue personnel. Damages were estimated at $125,000.00 to the structure and $75,000.00 to the contents.

Silver Spring Townhouse Fire

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, MCFRS units were dispatched for a reported townhouse fire in the 1100 block of Good Hope Drive in the Silver Spring area of the county. Units arrived to find light smoke showing from a two story residential middle of the row townhouse.

Firefighters were able to quickly locate and extinguish a small fire in a second floor bedroom. 

Smoke alarms in the home did activate. An adult male and his daughter did exit the home and were out of the townhouse upon MCFRS arrival. The adult male was transported to an area hospital for a checkup. Both occupants were displaced as a result the fire and were being assisted by the Red Cross.

Fire Investigators were called to the scene to conduct a Cause and Origin investigation. Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature as a result of an arcing outlet located next to the bed.

There were no injuries to fire and rescue personnel. Damages were estimated to be $100,000.00 to the structure and $20,000.00 to the contents of the home.

Smoke Alarm Alerts Family To Germantown House Fire

On Thursday, March 10 at approximately 9:05 p.m. MCFRS units responded for a report of a house fire at 18303 Aspen Dale Court in Germantown. Multiple 911 calls were received at the Emergency Communications Center indicating a fire in the garage.

Engine 722 (Germantown/Kingsview) arrived on scene and reported heavy fire coming from the garage of a large two-story, single family home with extension into the attic area and flames in close proximity to a neighboring home. In addition, several cars were on fire in the driveway.

A Task Force assignment was requested by Engine 722 and initial hose lines were placed for an exterior attack and to protect the neighbor’s home. At one point a collapse of the room above the garage occurred along with a brick wall of the garage and portions of the roof. Heavy streams and eventually an interior attack were initiated before the fire was contained.

Family members, five in total, stated that they were in the house when the smoke alarms alerted them to the fire and were able to escape along with their two dogs.

Fire Investigations believe the fire originated in the garage but the exact cause is undetermined at this time.

Damages are estimated at $750,000.00 for the structure and vehicles and $150,000.00 for the contents. There was also $75,000.00 in damages (heat related) to a neighboring home. One firefighter was transported to an area hospital for a checkup. The occupants of the home and the neighboring home were displaced as a result of the damage.

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein wants to remind all Montgomery County residents that working smoke alarms save lives! LEARN MORE HERE.

Silver Spring House Fire

Last night, February 24, a little after 8 pm MCFRS units responded to 909 McCeney Avenue for the report of smoke filling the garage. Units arrived on the scene to find a two story single family home with fire showing in the garage and extending up into the first floor and attic area.

The occupants, a husband and wife, were home at the time of the fire and escaped. Initially, the wife first noticed what she thought was steam coming from one side of the garage. She then alerted her husband who looked out another window in the home and observed fire coming from the garage.
Both evacuated the home and dialed 911 once safely outside.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and significant extension as they went to work to extinguish the fire. It took firefighters a little over 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Approximately 65 firefighters were on scene.

Fire Investigators conducted a cause and origin exam in the garage. Many combustible items were found in the garage as well as two vehicles. A cause of the fire could not be determined as both vehicles and the contents of the garage were severely damaged. The fire is listed as undetermined. 

There were no injuries reported to fire and rescue personnel or civilians. Smoke Alarms were present and did activate. Damages were estimated to be:

$400,000.00 - Structure
$150,000.00 - Vehicles
$125,000.00 - Contents

The two occupants of the home were displaced and are currently staying with a neighbor. Firefighters will be returning to the neighborhood around 3 pm today (February 25) to go door to door (After the Fire Outreach) offering to check smoke alarms and provide safety tips for interested residents.

Photos and videos below.

Cool Your Ashes!

MCFRS responded to another house fire last night related to improperly discarded fire place ashes. Please take a moment to review the info graphic below to learn how to SAFELY dispose of them.