Montgomery Village Townhouse Fire

On Thursday, May 19th at approximately 2:23 p.m., MCFRS units were dispatched for a reported town house fire in the 7800 block of Yankee Harbor Drive in the Montgomery Village area of the county. Units from Laytonville Fire Station 17 arrived on the scene and reported fire showing from the front bedroom of a middle of the row, three story townhouse.

None of the six adult occupants of the townhouse were home. Smoke alarms sounding from inside the townhouse alerted a passerby who called 911.

Firefighters found and quickly extinguished a fire in one of the bedrooms. A residential fire sprinkler in the hallway activated and kept the fire in check prior to fire department arrival. The fire sprinkler in the bedroom malfunctioned and did not operate.

In addition, firefighters found and rescued a dog that was in the home. Oxygen treatment was administered by personnel to help revive the dog (see photo in album below).

Fire Investigators responded to the scene to determine the cause of the fire. After investigation and interviews, with two occupants that were at home prior to the fire starting, it was determined that the fire was accidental in nature.

Damages were estimated at $150,000.00 to the structure and $20,000.00 to the contents. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. A total of six adults and one dog have been displaced as a result of the fire.

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.

Germantown Townhouse Fire Injures Eight Firefighters

At approximately 1 a.m. on Monday, March 14 MCFRS Units responded to the 19300 block of Churubusco Lane in the Germantown area of Montgomery County. First arriving units reported heavy fire and smoke showing from a middle of the row townhouse.

Firefighters engaged in firefighting operations and initial indications were all occupants of the home were safely out. A short time later, there was a concern that one occupant was missing and perhaps still in the home. Search and rescue operations were quickly initiated.

During the search and rescue operations, a partial collapse of the front of the structure occurred trapping eight firefighters and triggering a “Mayday” alert for all on scene. The “Mayday” was short lived as the firefighters either self-rescued or were quickly assisted to safety.

All eight firefighters were transported to area hospitals with a variety of non-life threatening injuries. Eventually, all eight firefighters were treated and released.

It was later learned that all occupants had successfully evacuated and were safe.

The fire reached Three Alarms and a total of approximately 120 firefighters were on the scene.

Due to the extensive damage to the home, Fire Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. Resources from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Police, Anne Arundel County Fire and Rescue (K9) and Annapolis City Fire Investigations Office.

Damage totals are not available at this time but the townhouse will be a total loss. There was also damage to adjoining homes which will result in a total of 20 people being displaced. Red Cross is assisting those displaced.

Townhouse Fire in the 9900 Block of Brookridge Court

At approximately 6:15 AM on Thursday, February 18, MCFRS firefighters were dispatched to a report of a townhouse fire in the 9900 block of Brookridge Court in Montgomery Village. There were multiple 911 calls to the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center reporting the fire.

Units responding reported heavy smoke in the air approaching the area. Firefighters arrived on scene and found heavy fire evident in a middle of the row townhouse on the first and second floors. Additional units were quickly requested to assist.

In addition, firefighters encountered an adult female (resident) outside upon arrival. She was evaluated and eventually transported to a local hospital for a checkup.

The fire was quickly brought under control and contained to the townhouse of origin. Firefighters also encountered a frozen fire hydrant, snow piles blocking fire lanes and icy conditions. Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the scene.

Initial investigation determined that the area of origin may be a couch on the first floor in the living room. Smoke alarms did activate however investigators believe the townhouse was unoccupied at the time of fire. Investigation is ongoing at this time and the source of the fire is currently undetermined.

Damage is estimated at approximately $225,000.00. Red Cross was requested and is currently assisting a neighbor. Video and photos below.

Smoke Alarm Saves!

At a townhouse fire earlier this morning on Knoll Mist Lane, a smoke alarm alerted two sleeping children, in the basement, who then escaped with no injury! Cause - unattended cooking. Area was the 1st floor kitchen. Damage estimated at $100k with one family, two adults and two children, displaced. Approximately 45 Firefighters responded to extinguish the fire.  

Townhouse Fire 10921 Brewer House Road

This morning at approximately 0130 hours, MCFRS units responded for a reported townhouse fire at 10921 Brewer House Road.  The 911 call was made by a neighbor who stated that she was awakened by the occupant of the address knocking on her door yelling fire.

Montgomery County Police arrived on the scene first and reported a fire and one adult male with severe burns.  Engine 726 arrived on the scene and confirmed significant fire coming from several windows in an end of the row, two-story townhouse and requested a 2nd alarm.  A fire attack was initiated from the exterior to dampen down some of the fire which then allowed for a transition to an interior attack to extinguish the fire.  The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished. 

Click on above for more photos

The 73 year old male occupant of this address was located in a neighbor's townhouse with significant second and third degree burns over approximately thirty percent of his body.  He stated that he was awakened by the smoke alarm and observed fire in the front of the house.  He then attempted to extinguish the fire but could not. 

The occupant was transported Priority 1 to a local burn center with critical and potentially life threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition at the time of this writing. 

Approximately 75 fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene.  In addition, Medical Ambulance Bus 726 (MAB) was on scene for shelter and rehab due to the extreme cold.

The origin and cause investigation determined the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical failure or malfunction in a floor outlet. Damages were estimated at $350,000 to the structure and $100,000 to the contents of the home.  Two cats are also unaccounted for.

Firefighters will be returning to the neighborhood later this afternoon at approximately 4 p.m. to hand out safety information as well as offer to check smoke alarms to insure they are working. 

Townhouse Fire

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Several units from the 1st Battalion (E719, E724, E701, AT719, T716, BC701) responded to a townhouse fire in the lower end of Battalion 4 (Wheaton/Kensington) on Monday evening. Companies 18, 5 and Rescue 2 arrived quickly and found a working kitchen fire in a 2-story occupied townhouse. The 1st Battalion units provided support operations in terms getting to the rear of the structure and into adjacent structures to make sure fire did not spread into those properties.

Once again - a small, cooking-related fire quickly grew to a much larger proportion. Although damage to the home was significant, all occupants (including several children) were able to escape thanks to working smoke detectors.

Crews in this photo are getting ready to make the initial entry through the front door. Several ladders have been placed for rescue and building access. Fortunately - the fire was contained in little time due to the coordinated efforts of all companies. 

Unit Citation

By: BC Mark Davis 

It is very fitting that units from the 1st Battalion receive Fire Chief Steven E. Lohr's first Unit Citation for exemplary work at a townhouse fire that occurred on March 17th in Co 12's first-due response district. Crews from E712, E715, and T715 rescued a woman trapped on the second floor of a townhouse fire. An adult male had already jumped from the second floor prior to the arrival of FD units. Ambulance 712 and Medic 712 provided excellent medical care and both victims survived the event with minimal injury. BC Mark Davis was the Incident Commander.

1st Battalion units made a true difference that day!

 (L to R) Front: BC Mark Davis, FF Raymond Briscoe, MF Jude McDowell, LT James Snyder, FF Kevin Benns, FF James Proctor, MF Michael Ryman, FF Lauren Wickson. Back: Division Chief Scott Goldstein, FF Brent Sheely, FF Patrick Paradise, MF Marvin Robinson, Fire Chief Steve Lohr, FF Chad Goyette, AC Steve Jones.