MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
A Sunday night fire in a Springdale home resulted in
critical burn injuries to a male occupant.
Prince George’s County Firefighter/Medics were alerted to a fire inside
of a 2-story single family home in the 3400 block of Edwards Street at around
9:15 pm, Sunday, April 5, 2015.
Upon Fire/EMS arrival an adult male, 83 years-of-age, was
located in the basement living room with 80% 2nd and 3rd
degree burns to his body. Medics treated
the patient on the scene and transported him to MEDSTAR Washington Hospital
Center Burn Unit in critical condition.
It appears the man was sitting in a piece of furniture and
accidentally ignited his clothing with a lit cigarette. Family members were alerted by a working
smoke alarm and extinguished the fire prior to the Fire/EMS Departments
arrival.
Despite the valiant efforts of family members, firefighters,
medics and hospital staff the man succumbed to his burn injuries earlier this
morning.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending family
notification.
This is the second residential fire fatality this year. Both incidents involve cigarettes. On the evening of January 1, 2015, a Laurel resident was in the process of lighting her cigarette when her hair caught fire. She succumbed to her burn injuries
the following day.
Prince George's County Firefighter/Medics will return to the Springdale community as part of our Post Incident Neighborhood Intervention Program (PINIP). After a tragic incident such as this community members are more apt to allow firefighters into their homes to check smoke alarms and inspect the home for any obvious fire hazards. Firefighters will provide as much information as possible about the incident to alleviate misinformation and rumors. If a firefighter finds a home without a working smoke alarm or one that is 10-years-old or older, a new 10-year smoke alarm will be installed free of charge.
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