MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Occupants of a College Park home are fortunate to have
escaped their burning home early this morning.
Just before 2:00 am, Monday, July 18, 2016, a fire of undetermined
nature occurred in a home in the 7500 block of Edmonston Road. The home occupants, an adult and a child,
were not provided an early warning from a smoke alarm and had to rush out
through the heat and smoke. The adult
was treated for smoke inhalation on the scene but refused transport to a
hospital. The American Red Cross of the
National Capital Region assisted the displaced residents.
Firefighters from the Berwyn Heights Fire/EMS Station were
the first to arrive and advised of smoke showing from the front. A fire was quickly found and extinguished in
the front living area of the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire loss is estimated at $20,000.
Having a working smoke alarm can be the difference between
surviving or dying in a home fire.
Having a working smoke alarm increases your chances of survival by
50%. Combine a working smoke alarm with
a planned and practiced home escape increases your chances even more.
It’s a law we can live.
County Law currently calls for a smoke alarm on every level of your
home, primarily just outside of sleeping areas.
If you have a fireplace, natural gas service and/or an attached garage, you
must also have a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm as well. The law will also soon take effect that will
require all alarms to be a 10-year, tamper proof, alarm available at all home
improvement stores.
The Fire/EMS Department recommends that you sleep with your
door closed and a working smoke alarm installed in each bedroom.
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department
has a smoke alarm program that allows homeowners that cannot afford to purchase
their own to call and request a smoke alarm to be installed in their home by a
firefighter, free of charge. Simply call
311 and ask about our free smoke alarm program.
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| Damage from the fire and heat can be seen around the front door and windows of this home on Edmonston Road. (photo by Billy McNeel) |
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