FIRE/EMS MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Prince George’s County
Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire in a 2-story, middle of the row,
Temple Hills townhouse early this morning.
Just after 12:30 am, Monday,
March 23, an initial report of the fire was made by police officers that
radioed in that smoke was coming from a townhouse in the 2800 block of Iverson
Street. Fire/EMS units arrived quickly
and encountered heavy smoke coming from the front side of a townhouse with fire
showing from the rear.
Prince George’s County Police
Officers were the first to discover the fire and immediately notified Public Safety
Communications by way of their radios and initiated an evacuation of sleeping
residents from the townhouses closest to the one on fire.
The fire appears to have
started in a kitchen of the townhouse of origin and quickly spread to the
second floor and attic area.
Firefighters ensured the fire was completely extinguished and limited
the extension of fire to adjacent homes through extensive overhaul and
inspection of interior walls and ceilings
The County Police continued
to radio updates about the conditions on the scene that were relayed by police
dispatchers via computer aided dispatch system to fire dispatchers that
broadcast the updates to the incident commander and responding
firefighters. The radio updates were useful
in allowing the incident commander an opportunity to formulate a plan of attack
before arriving on the scene.
It required about 20 minutes for
firefighters to extinguish the work intensive fire.
Fortunately, through the
combined efforts of police, firefighters, dispatchers and our Citizen Services Unit, no injuries were
reported and displaced residents are receiving assistance. One occupant was evaluated by
medics but did not go to the hospital.
All occupants were able to safely escape thanks to the early
notifications by police.
The occupants from the row of
eight townhouses will be displaced, some just for the short-term. A total of 22 residents, 11 adults and 11
children are displaced. The County
Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross are providing temporary relief
for 8 of those residents. Other
displaced residents made their own arrangements.
Fire Investigators are still
searching for the cause of the fire and have labeled this incident as “under
investigation.” Included in this
investigation is the presence and status of smoke alarms. Estimated fire loss is placed at $200,000.
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