Four Home Fires - All Without Power After Winter Storm

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us

The Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department battled four house fires late Wednesday evening and through this morning.  All of the homes involved had lost power due to the winter storm on Wednesday.  in one of the incidents an adult female had to be rescued by firefighters from her burning home, she is expected to survive.   

On Wednesday evening, January 26, 2011, at about 10:30 pm, Fire/EMS units from the Greenbelt area responded to a reported house fire in the 100 block of Green Hill Avenue.  Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the house with fire showing from the rear.  Firefighters confirmed that all occupants were accounted for and safe outside as they initiated an interior attack on the fire.  A fire was located in the basement with some extension to the first floor.  Firefighters were able to knock the fire down in about 20 minutes.  A working smoke alarm alerted the lone female occupant and she was able to escape without injury.  The cause of the fire is under investigation and fire loss is estimated at $80,000.  The Fire/EMS Department's Citizen Services Unit provided assistance to the adult female occupant.  

Firefighters were alerted to a house fire by an ambulance passing by the scene in the 4000 block of Alton Street in Boulevard Heights just after 2:30 this morning.  Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire conditions and quickly determined that all occupants had made it out OK,  The fire was knocked down and contained within 30 minutes.  A male child about 10 years of age and an adult female about 60 years of age were transported by paramedics to a medical facility for evaluation of smoke inhalation and minor injuries.  The home did not have the protection of a working smoke alarm.   An unattended candle has been identified as the cause of the fire.  Fire loss is estimated at $30,000.  The family was assisted by the Fire/EMS Departments Citizen Services Unit with temporary shelter.

An adult female was rescued by firefighters from her burning Glenn Dale home.  At about 4:30 am, Thursday, January 27, 2011, firefighters were alerted to a house fire in the 4500 block of Woodgate Way with fire showing.  A working smoke alarm sounded and alerted occupants of the fire.  Four family members were able to escape the home prior to the fire departments arrival, however, a 60ish year old female was not able to escape and retreated to a second floor bedroom window and could be heard screaming for help upon firefighters arrival.  Firefighters stretched hose lines and began an interior attack on the fire and search for the trapped occupant as another team of firefighters brought a ground ladder to the rear of the house.  They extended the ladder up to the trapped victims location.  Firefighters ascended the ladder and removed the female out of the window and down the ladder.  She was evaluated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to an medical facility for treatment of 2nd degree burns and smoke inhalation.  She was transported in serious condition.There were 40 firefighters on the scene that required 25 minutes to extinguish the fire.  One firefighter was transported to an area hospital and has been admitted for his illness/injury.  It appears the fire started in the area of the kitchen.  The cause of this fire remains under investigation.  Fire loss is estimated at $80,000.  The Fire/EMS Department's Citizen Services Units assisted the remaining 4 occupants of the home with temporary shelter.  A working smoke alarm sounded providing an early warning to the occupants and subsequent early notification to 911.

At about 5:30 am, firefighters from the College Park area were alerted to a house fire in the 5000 block of Pierce Avenue.  Fire/EMS units arrived quickly to find a 1-story single family home with fire showing from the basement.  An interior attack by firefighters on the fire was in progress when a partial collapse of the first floor occurred.  Personnel immediately evacuated the structure and were accounted for and deemed OK by incident commanders.  An exterior attack continued on the fire which had now extended up to the first floor.  The family was alerted to the basement fire by a working smoke alarm.  All occupants escaped the home safely prior to the fire departments arrival.  The cause of the fire is attributed to a fireplace in the basement,  This home was without power due to the winter storm on Wednesday.  Fire loss is estimated at $140,000.  The Fire/EMS Departments Citizen Services Unit provided assistance to the displaced residents.

As power outages continue, the men and women of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department provide these safety tips:

Stay away from any downed power line – treat every downed line as if were energized and notify 911. Avoid unnecessary travel and make plans to stay at home tonight.  While you are indoors, test your smoke alarm and ensure it is working, if not, replace the battery and test again.  If it still fails to work, call 301-864-SAFE (7233) to arrange for a new smoke alarm installed in your home.

Top Safety Tips for a Power Outage

• Use a battery powered flashlight for emergency lighting.

• Never use candles for illumination.

• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.

• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.

• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.

• Ensure you have fresh batteries in your radio and be prepared to stay informed if a power outage occurs.

• Before a power outage occurs - Listen to local radio and television for updated information.

Safety First – Stay Informed – Stay Ready – Stay Safe

Pierce Avenue in College Park

Woodgate Way in Glenn Dale