MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
At around 6:30 am, Wednesday, June 6, firefighters were alerted to a fire in an apartment building in the Andrews Ridge Apartment Complex in Suitland.
Firefighters arrived at 5621 Regency Park Court and found heavy fire showing from the rear side of the building. This is a 3-story (front) 4-story (rear) garden style apartment building. The fire appears to have started in a terrace level apartment and extended through the upper floors and into the flat roof assembly.
The first arriving ladder truck, Silver Hill Fire/EMS Station 829, rescued 4 family members from a top floor balcony. The family attempted to escape by way of the building center stairwell, however, encountered intense heat and thick smoke. They retreated to their balcony and awaited the arrival of firefighters that removed them using a ground ladder.
The intensity of the fire grew as it leapfrogged balcony to balcony before reaching the roof. 3-alarms were sounded bringing 90 firefighters on-board over 25 pieces of fire/EMS apparatus to the scene. It required 45 minutes to bring the fire under control.
One firefighter sustained a minor injury and did not need seek any medical attention. No civilian injuires were reported.
Fourteen apartment units are declared uninhabitable. 31 residents will be displaced that include 19 adults and 11 children. The County Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross will be assisting those residents that require temporary housing.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A preliminary estimate of fire loss damage is $250,000.
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| Fire and smoke from all 4 levels of the building. Photo by Spencer Stevenson, PGFD |
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| Overhaul operations. (Brady) |
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| (Brady) |
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