MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Firefighters rescued an unconscious occupant of a burning District
Heights home on Friday evening.
Firefighters and Paramedics were alerted to a house fire with the
possibility of a senior citizen occupant trapped inside on Friday, October 17,
at about 7:45 pm.
A passerby witnessed the fire and called 911 using their
cell phone. Firefighters from the
Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department and Morningside Volunteer Fire/EMS Department, just 2 of the 7 stations dispatched, were the first to arrive and at about the same time at a 2-story, split foyer, single-family home in the
1100 block of Waterford Drive in District Heights. Firefighters encountered fire and smoke
showing from the upper level and initiated an aggressive interior attack on the
fire as well as a search of the structure for the reported trapped
occupant.
Almost immediately an unconscious male was located by
firefighters in the foyer by the front door.
He was removed to the front yard where paramedics from the District
Heights Fire/EMS Station initiated medical care.
The victim was transported to a nearby Trauma Center in critical
condition.
Firefighters made quick work of the fire in the
kitchen/dining/living room area and had the fire extinguished within minutes of
arrival. A smoke alarm was found inside
the house, however, fire investigators could not determine if the alarm was in working
condition or if it played a role in alerting the occupant.
A follow-up report from the Trauma Center indicated the victim displayed rapid signs of improvement, regained consciousness and was breathing on his own. His condition was upgraded to fair.
Fire Investigators continue their work to determine the
cause of the fire and will wait to talk with the occupant before making a final
determination. Fire loss is estimated at
$75,000.
Citizens and residents that are in need of a working smoke
alarm and cannot afford to purchase one themselves are encouraged to call our
Safety First Smoke Alarm Program. To
initiate this service simply call 311 or 301-864-SAFE (7233) or click here to request one on-line. A Firefighter/Medic will visit your home and
install a new 10-year, tamper proof with hush feature alarm for free. This also applies if you are in need of a
battery. Energizer Battery recently
donated 5000 batteries to the Fire/EMS Department and we will come to your
house and install them in your battery-powered alarms at no cost to you.
Remember to test your alarms on the Safety First Day of every month.
Replace batteries when you adjust your clocks. (November 2)
Replace your alarms if they are 10 years old or older.
Consider replacing your battery-powered alarms with a
10-year smoke and CO alarms.
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