MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
At about 10:30 am, Wednesday, November 6, firefighters from the Fire/EMS Department's Third
Battalion were alerted to an apartment fire in District Heights. 911 call takers answered numerous calls from
residents reporting the fire with some telling call takers that building
occupants could not get out. First
arriving firefighters checked on the scene and reported a 2-story apartment
building at 6425 Pennsylvania Avenue with heavy fire showing from the second
floor. A 2nd Alarm was immediately
requested bringing additional equipment, staffing and incident commanders to
the scene.
Three adult occupants had attempted to exit their apartment
by way of the interior stairwell but encountered high heat and thick
smoke. They retreated back into their
apartments and awaited rescue while on their balcony. Some of the initial arriving firefighters
made the rescues using ground ladders.
The rescued occupants were evaluated and quickly determined they were
not injured.
The fire had started to extend into the roof as firefighters
advanced hose lines into the burning apartment building and performed a primary
and secondary search for anyone that may still may have been inside. All searches provide negative. Firefighters were successful in stopping the rapid
spread of the fire by an aggressive interior attack and roof ventilation.
Firefighters had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 20
minutes of arrival. There were a total
of 90 firefighters, medics, incident commanders and support staff on the
scene. No civilian or firefighter
injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation with no cause
being ruled out. It appears the fire
started in a second floor apartment. Preliminary
fire loss is estimated at $350,000. 18
adults and 2 children will be displaced as a result of the fire. The Penn Landing Apartments management,
County Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross will work together to
ensure temporary shelter for the displaced residents.
Citizen cell phone video
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| Citizen cell phone image |
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| Citizen cell phone image |
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