Two Fires Dispatched Within a Minute Quickly Extinguished

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

Two unrelated fires occurred within a minute of each other this morning; Monday, May 16, 2011.  There were no reported injuries, however, 9 residents will be displaced from one of the incidents.

The first fire occurred at 4:40 am, at 7934 Johnson Avenue in the Glenarden community.  Firefighters arrived to find a fire inside of a barbershop that was among other commercial establishments in a 1-story strip shopping center.  The fire was quickly extinguished and stores on either side of the barbershop were protected and spared damage.

Fire investigators are still investigating the cause of this fire.  Fire loss is estimated at $50,000.

At 4:41 am, firefighters were alerted to a fire on the second floor of a 3-story garden style apartment building in Oxon Hill.   Firefighters arrived at 2965 Brinkley Road to find fire showing from an apartment on the second floor.  It required about 10 to 15 minutes to extinguish the fire.  Four apartment units, 8 adults and 1 child, were displaced and are being assisted by the Department’s Citizen Services Unit.

The cause of this fire was determined to be an unattended candle and fire loss is estimated at $75,000.