MCFRS Significant Incident Map

Significant incidents responded to by MCFRS over the past week from Sunday, June 30 through Saturday, July 6.  

View MCFRS Significant Incident Map in a larger map

Fire and Explosive Investigators Have a Busy Week

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 22, 2013

Fire and Explosive Investigators Have a Busy Week  
 Two buildings are a total loss after separate fires

Montgomery County, MD - - -  Fire and Explosive Investigators returned to the scene of Wednesday night’s large fire in Germantown yesterday to continue their investigation into what possibly sparked the fire. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 7:30 p.m. to 17001 Germantown Road on February 20th for the report of a fire. Units arrived on the scene and reported a large commercial warehouse building fully engulfed in flames and requested additional resources. At the height of operations, over 75 firefighters battled the blaze. The warehouse was considered a total loss and belongs to High Point Catering.

 

Units remained on the scene for several hours Wednesday night and preliminary damage estimates were $500,000. There is no indication of anything suspicious and investigators listed the cause of the fire as undetermined earlier today.      
 
In a separate fire on Thursday, February 21st, firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4:30 a.m. to 175 Watts Branch Parkway in Rockville for the initial report of a fire in the woods. Crews arrived on the scene and found a large, vacant building with heavy fire and smoke conditions. A second alarm was dispatched and additional units requested. The fire was well-advanced upon the arrival of firefighters. Crews extinguished the large blaze and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The building, which served as a former residential treatment facility for youth and operated under the name of the “Karma Academy,” closed several years ago. The building was boarded up and vacant at the time of the fire and officials report an estimated $250,000 in damages to the structure.

There were no injuries reported in either fire.  

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Fire Started by Smoldering Cigarette Discarded in Trash Can

Montgomery County, MD - - - A man narrowly escaped from a house that caught fire early Saturday morning and investigators have determined that a cigarette discarded in a kitchen trash can was the cause of the fire.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched shortly after 7:30 a.m. to the 13000 block of Payson Street in Rockville for the report of a house fire. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and investigators were requested to the scene and have determined that an improperly discarded cigarette started the fire in the trash can. Investigators have confirmed that there were no working smoke alarms in the house and have estimated that the fire caused $195,000 in damages.

The resident was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was expected to be released over the weekend.  

There are countless statistics and warnings about the health dangers of smoking however many overlook the very serious hazards of home fires created by cigarettes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoking is the leading cause of residential fire deaths.

The following tips can help prevent a tragedy from striking you:

     · Dispose of smoking materials properly. Never dump cigarette butts in trash bags or containers without first thoroughly soaking them in water.

     · If you smoke outside, use a non-combustible container, such as an ash tray or coffee can, and don't discard smoking material on the ground or in mulch.

     · After parties or family gatherings and before going to bed, always check your furniture if people have been smoking. Lift the cushions and check in between the sides and backs, and under furniture.

     · Provide plenty of ashtrays for people to use.

     · Never smoke in bed.

     · Sleep with your bedroom doors closed. This simple action can prevent smoke and poisonous gasses from entering your bedroom and allows time for the smoke alarm to wake you in time to safely evacuate.

     · Develop a home escape plan with your family. Make sure you know two ways out of each room and have a pre-designated meeting place. It is recommended that you practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

     · Make sure your smoke alarm is in good working order. Push the test button at least once a month, change the battery annually and remember that all smoke alarm units should be replaced every 10 years.
 

Montgomery County Fire Investigators Seek Assistance in Identifying Arson Suspect

Rockville - - - Montgomery County Fire Investigators are asking for assistance in identifying the person responsible for an arson fire at the Ebony Unisex Barber shop at 936 Bonifant Street in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Fire & Rescue units responded to the Ebony Unisex Barber shop at approximately 2:35 a.m. on June 28 and found fire coming from the front of the barber shop.  Fire investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set using an accelerant.  The fire caused approximately $100,000 damage to the structure and its contents.

Earlier in the morning on June 28 around midnight an unidentified male was observed smashing a hole in the front door of the barber shop.  This is the third time in recent weeks that the Ebony Unisex Barber has been the target of vandalism and/or arson.   

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet in height, 200-220 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black shorts and black shoes.  

Anyone with information related to this arson fire is asked to call the Arson tip line at 240-777-2263.

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Families Displaced After Two Separate Fires Firefighters Warn of Dangers

Rockville - - -  Montgomery County firefighters have been busy and two families are without homes after two separate fires in the County. On February 14^th at 7:30 p.m. firefighters responded for the report of a house fire in the 13000 block of Holdridge Road in Silver Spring and quickly extinguished the fire. Twelve hours later, firefighters were dispatched to the unit block of Lauer Terrace in Silver Spring for a reported house fire. Arriving units encountered fire venting from the window and smoke conditions throughout the house. Firefighters were able to quickly control and extinguish the fire.The homeowner reported that the smoke alarm had activated and alerted her to the fire and she was able to safely escape. There was one firefighter injury and no civilian injuries reported. Montgomery County Fire Investigators have completed their investigation and have confirmed that the fires were unintentional in nature and believe that space heaters were being used in the homes.  

      The high cost of heating homes combined with efforts to save energy, raises the potential for an increased use of alternative heating sources. If space heaters are used, firefighters are urging residents to exercise extreme caution, take important safety precautions and review these tips:

  Space Heater Safety Tips:  

·         All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture at
        least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

·         Make sure you plug the space heater directly into an outlet - - - not an extension cord.

·         Turn off and unplug space heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep.

·         Space heaters should always be positioned on a flat floor and not on top of furniture, a

        table or cabinets.

·         Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide
        (CO) poisoning. CO poisoning can cause illness and even death.

·         Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms inside your home to provide early warning
        of carbon monoxide.

·         Only use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory and read
        all manufacturer instructions.

·         And always have working smoke alarms in your home!  

Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From July 25 through July 31

Battalion 1 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash @ E Randolph Road & Tourmaline Court - Dispatched for a crash involving a loaded Ride-On bus. Fire units arrived to find minor collision and transported 4 patients with minor injuries to local hospital.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• House Fire in the 7700 block of Westlake Terrace. Fire units arrived to find a confined dryer fire.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Hazardous Materials Incident in the 1200 block of First Street- CO leak w/ 11 patients transported local hospitals. Investigation revealed malfunctioning hot water heater

Battalion 4 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash & Hazardous Materials Incident @New Hampshire Ave / Ednor Rd - Fire units arrived on scene and found 1 patient ejected from vehicle and a 50 gallon diesel spill. MCPD investigating.

• Apartment Fire in the 12500 block of Winexburg Manor Drive - Initial call for alarm bells in garden apartment. Fire units found fire in the walls of terrace level apartment. Small fire that was quickly extinguished. Cause was a defective gas stove. Damage of $2K to the structure with no injuries and a family of 5 displaced.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash & Hazardous Materials Incident @ Woodfield Rd/ Churchill Downs – Fire units arrived on scene with a car and van, fueled by propane, which had collided. Van had one propane cylinder slightly ruptured. Haz Mat team stayed on scene to bleed cylinder off.

• Building Fire in the 615 S. Frederick Ave - Fire units found a 3-story commercial/mixed use property w/a cooking pot on fire in a small restaurant. Fire extinguished by sprinkler. No injuries and $2K worth of damage.

• GAS / PIPELINE LEAK in the 11400 block of TULIP POPLAR TER – Fire units arrive on scene and found a gas leak between 2 homes requiring the evacuation of portions of the neighborhood. Unified command established with MCPD and scene mitigated without injuries or fire.

Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From July 4 through July 10

Battalion 1 Incidents

• House Fire in the 500 block of E Indian Spring Drive - Report of smoke coming from the house. Fire Units arrived to find smoke showing on the front side of house and heavy fire from the one side of a single story ranch style home with a basement. Second Alarm requested and dispatched. Fire extinguished with interior attack. Second alarm placed in service without being utilized. 1 FD injury, no civilian injuries, 1 civilian occupant displaced and refused Red Cross. Cause undetermined with $350K loss to structure and $150K loss of contents.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• House Fire in the 4100 block of Edgevale Ct. Fire Units arrived to find smoke showing from one side of the house with a working bedroom fire and all occupants out. Contained and extinguished quickly. Two occupants displaced. $250K loss to structure and $50K to contents.

• Hazardous Materials Incident in the 20 block of W. Irving Street - Hazmat call for Nitric Acid Spill inside a single family home. Fire Units found very small spill which was cleaned up by Haz Mat Unit.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Drowning at Wisteria & Sky Blue Drive - Units responded to a reported drowning at Gunners Lake. Units AOS to find working code and transported to a local hospital.

• Hazardous Materials Incident in the 12400 block of Parklawn Dr., (NIH Fed facility) for unknown powder spill on first floor. Powder was residue from steam autoclave disinfectant machine due to incomplete combustion. Tested powder, no hazard at all. No loss or injuries.

• Injury in the 16600 block of W Willard Rd @ Poolesville GC - one run over by golf cart. Patient transported Priority 2 with significant injuries to a local hospital.

• Gas Leak in the 5700 block of Stillwell Rd - Significant Inside gas leak. Evacuations of near by homes required until situation mitigated.

• Disabled Boat @ Whites Ferry – Service Call for Tow of disabled boat. Significant water & aerial assets utilized. Were able to tow boat to Rileys Lock

Battalion 4 Incidents

• House Fire in the 14000 block of Punch Street - Fire Units found a propane grill that had been on fire on a deck with a wood frame roof overhead. Fire had been extinguished by garden hose prior to arrival. $1K loss to contents and $4K to the structure.

• House Fire in the 13000 block of Beacon Hallow Lane - Dispatched for a house filling with smoke. Fire Units arrived on scene with nothing showing, and quickly determine cause to be overheated garbage disposal.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash in the 13600 block of Parkland Dr - Fire Units found a small SUV that went off road into a 1 story house, trapping occupants of the car. Low-tech rescue from car confirmed 2 occupants 1 with minor injuries and 1 arrested by MCPD. 3 occupants of the house, 1 transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

• Injury in the 6500 block of Olney-Laytonsville Rd – Fire Units found a 7 year old female who fell onto a board w/nails sticking out of it, impaling it into her head. She was flown to local hospital via Trooper 3. Mobile Crisis Team requested for campers/counselors.

Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From June 27 through July 3

Battalion 1 Incidents

• House Fire in a Detached 2 story structure used as a garage and 2nd floor game room/office. Fire Units arrived to find heavy fire on 1st and 2nd floors. 2nd alarm called for but not used. No reported injuries, no displacements, $150K damage to structure and $100Kto contents.

• Motor Vehicle Crash at Spencerville/Peach Orchard Rd’s – Fire units arrived to find a single-vehicle w/ one person trapped. One patient transported Priority 2 to Shock Trauma.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• Injury on the Billy Goat Trail @ the Potomac River. injured 34 yr old female who was removed by Strike Team 30.

• Garage Fire in the 7900 block of Paloma Ct - report of fire in the attached garage of a single family dwelling. Fire units arrived to find a fire in a trash can in the garage with no extension into the structure.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Odor in the building in the 5500 block of Security Lane – Fire units responded for an investigation for an "odor of exhaust" in an 11 story (4 levels parking/7 levels business office) high rise office building. Found significant levels of Carbon Monoxide. Quickly located construction activity going on at the P-3 level with multiple gas powered equipment in operation - evacuated 75-100 occupants.

• Chemical Exposure in the 5 block of Mannakee St - Adult female transported to the burn unit via ambulance due to an exposure to a base chemical in a science lab. No damage to building and no operational changes to the classroom.

• Building Fire in the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane - Fire Units arrive to find heavy smoke from the front of a two story warehouse. Fire quickly controlled in coffee roasting machine and extensive smoke prolonged ventilation efforts. No injuries to civilian or Fire personnel. Estimates $25K damage to structure and $100K to contents and lost stock. Likely cause - machine failure.

• Motor Vehicle Crash at Great Seneca Hwy/ Muddy Branch Rd – Fire units on scene with car over the embankment about 75 feet of the road. One patient trapped with serious injuries and one patient with less serious injuries out of the vehicle. Trooper 3 was utilized and both persons were transported.

• Drowning – 18000 block of Cottage Garden Dr. – Fire units arrived to find a 22 month old in bath tub.

• House Fire in the 17100 block of Hughes Rd - Fire units arrived and found a fire above garage & electrical wiring for dryer. $3K in damage and fire confined to area of origin. Lightning strike was the cause.

• Injured Person on the Tow path between Edwards Ferry & Whites Ferry. Bicyclist struck by tree during storm. Fire units found the person DOA.

Battalion 4 Incidents

• Townhouse Fire in the 1600 block of Hugo Circle- Fire units arrived on scene and found smoke showing from the roof of end unit townhouse. Fire on the deck with extension to both floors and attic space from vinyl siding. Second Alarm dispatched and only a couple of the units used. Held fire to townhouse of origin. No injuries. $200K damage to structure and $100K for contents. Two adults displaced.

• House Fire in the 1900 block of Poplar View Ln- Fire units on scene with kitchen fire that was confined by the home fire sprinkler system. No injuries and only $4K in damage.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• Garage Fire in the 23000 block of Davis Mill Rd. Fire units found fire on exterior of garage w/ extension. No Injuries. Loss: $3K structure and $2K contents.

• House Fire in the 25000 block of Woodfield Rd. Fire units found significant fire in the house on three levels plus extension into attic. Two minor Fire Fighter injuries. Loss: $300K to the structure and $100K to the contents.

• House Fire in the 400 block of Fellowship Circle - Residential Duplex in Asbury Village w/fire in the kitchen of unit under construction. Units found small fire in the walls from a plumbers torch. No injuries/displacements. $1K loss.

• Building Fire in the 19200 block of Montgomery Village Avenue - Report of pillar on fire to the front of the occupied restaurant. Fire units found a wooden column on fire, which was quickly extinguished. Cause was improperly discarded smoking materials. $25K loss to structure and no injuries.

• Building Fire in the 700 block of N. Frederick Avenue - Report of fire on the roof. Fire units found roofers had started a small fire on the roof of a 3-story office building. Fire quickly extinguished & extensive overhaul with no injuries/displacements.

News Advisory - Seneca Creek Wildland Fire –Final Investigation

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2011

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials have released the final investigative report of the Seneca Creek wildland fire which occurred on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The fire began at approximately 9:30 a.m. and burned approximately 500 acres.

Investigators have determined after careful analysis and examination of the fire scene, conducting numerous interviews with residents and other officials that the fire originated in the area of the 17100 block of Germantown Road. The fire was fanned by strong winds, dry conditions and traveled southeast along the surrounding forested area where it was stopped by fire crews in the Ancient Oaks North subdivision. During the investigation of the fire scene, investigators observed evidence of human activity, including but not limited to, discarded smoking materials, food and drink containers, rubbish, vehicle tire marks including conventional vehicles and four wheel all terrain vehicles (ATV), as well as the remains from tree cutting operations. Due to the large area involved and the amount of fire damage, the exact origin, cause and first material ignited are undetermined.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials would like to remind all county residents that if they see people illegally dumping yard waste or trash of any kind to report it right away to 311.

Remember – See Something, Say Something.

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Rockville Home Destroyed by Gas Explosion

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2011

Rockville - - Just before 3 a.m. today, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was called to the 11200 block of Ashley Drive in Rockville for a report of a house explosion. Units arrived on the scene and found a single family rancher style home that was completely destroyed. Two adult occupants, one male and one female, were located at the rear of the residence under debris and were treated and transported to a local burn center. The adult male remains in serious condition and the female remains in serious condition with life threatening injuries.

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators report the explosion was caused by an improperly installed natural gas dryer. The explosion caused an estimated $750,000 damage to the structure and two adjacent homes. Debris from the home was distributed in a wide area surrounding the home.

Seventy-five fire and rescue personnel were on the scene for approximately 1 ½ hours. Investigators remained on the scene for an additional eight hours. Washington Gas and Pepco representatives were on the scene to assist with the incident and investigation.

Gas appliances should be installed by a licensed professional.

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News Advisory - Three Arrested in Connection with High School Arson

WHArrestFinal

Potomac Pipe Bomb Arrest Made

Final Potomac Arrest Media Release

Public’s Help Needed In Potomac Explosion Investigation

Below is our update from late yesterday afternoon regarding the explosive device that had detonated in front of a home in Potomac.

As you scroll down, please take a look at a photo of a necklace found on the scene. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to call the Montgomery County Fire and Explosives Tip Line at 240-777-2263. Callers can remain anonymous and the tip line is available 24-hours a day.

PotomacExplosion31620112nd

Fire and Explosive Investigators Seek Information

Brush Investigator Tip Line 2011

NEWS ADVISORY: Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators Arrest Two Suspects in String of Early Morning Fires

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2010

Advisory Arson 120320101