Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Public Information Officer Pete Piringer shared the five fires that caused the most in monetary losses in 2023:
#5: On April 9, 2023 approximately 75 firefighters responded to Country Club Dr. in Potomac. The fire was showing from the center portion of the large, three-story single family home. The fire occurred in the attic/roof of the home and was reported by a passerby. The occupants were not home when the fire occurred and $2 million in damage was reported.
#4: MCFRS responded to a a call for smoke reported on the seventh floor of an 18-story residential building, Arrive Silver Spring, at 8750 Georgia Avenue on Saturday, February 18th. A woman was overcome by smoke in a stairwell with her two dogs as she tried to exit the smoke-filled building. The fire also put 19 other people in the hospital, including three firefighters. $2 million in damage was reported.
#3: Approximately 65 firefighters were on the scene battling the heavy fire that was showing on Brickyard Ct. upon arrival of units. All occupants were able to get out safely, but the family of two adults, two children, and a guest, were displaced. $3 million in damage was reported.
#2: Approximately 95 firefighters responded to a call for a second alarm fire at a strip mall on Lofstrand Ln, between Taft St. and Southlawn Ln. in Rockville on November 2. The fire originated at Soto Leeson Linen Service and spread next door to Motor Works Inc. The fire at the commercial building also involved some parked vehicles. There were no injuries reported. $3 million in damage was reported.
#1: Approximately 100 firefighters responded to a 2-alarm fire at the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (5400 Western Ave) in Chevy Chase on Monday, November 21. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, firefighters responded to a call for fire/smoke in the building shortly before 12:30pm. Crews arrived to find the fire and smoke coming from the roof of the building. Firefighters were able to exit the church prior to a partial collapse of the roof and no serious injuries were reported. The fire was under control by 2:30pm.