Children Rescued by Firefighters in Fairmount Heights this Morning

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

Two children were rescued from their burning Fairmount Heights home early this morning by firefighters.  Just before 3:00 am, Wednesday, May 13, Prince George’s County Firefighters and Medics were alerted to a house fire with children trapped.  Fire/EMS units arrived at the 1-½ story, Cape Cod, single family home with fire and heavy smoke showing. 

The structure, originally built in 1943, has 990 sq. ft. with a basement.  The first arriving engine from the Chapel Oaks Fire/EMS Station 838 split their crew of four firefighters.  One team was designated for search and rescue while the other team advanced a hose line into the house to suppress the fire.

The children were rescued from room just
to right of burned 1st floor window. (Steve White)

The search/rescue firefighters each located a child in the 1^st floor living room, which is directly next to the kitchen that was on fire.  The children, ages 3 and 6, were removed from the structure with immediate treatment initiated by medics.  The children were transported to a specialty center for children for evaluation of smoke inhalation injuries.  The children are expected to make a full recovery.

There were other family members that had escaped the homes interior prior to the Fire Departments arrival including parents and siblings.  Two of those, a 19-year-old and a 14-year-old, were also transported to area hospitals for evaluation by medical staff.  The Red Cross of the National Capital Region will be assisting the 9 occupants with temporary shelter.

The home had working smoke alarms, which is believed to have alerted the family to the fire.  While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, it appears, the fire originated in the kitchen.  Fire loss is estimated at $30,000.

Having a working smoke alarm increases the chances of surviving a home fire by about 50%.  Having a planned and practiced home escape to accompany that working smoke alarm will increase your chances of survival.  Your escape plan should include 2 ways out of every room in your house and a designated meeting place once safely outside of your home.  

If you need a working smoke alarm and can not afford to purchase one we encourage you to call 311 and ask about our Safety First Smoke Alarm Program.  A firefighter will come to your home and install one for you, at no charge.