On Tuesday, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a large house fire in the 5310 block of Griffith Rd, near Damascus Rd. in Laytonsville, a non-hydrant area, where crews encountered heavy fire conditions upon arrival.
According to Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 75 firefighters responded to the scene, utilizing a water supply fill site at Rupert’s Nursery on Route 108. The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire, as it was undergoing renovations in preparation for occupancy within the next two weeks.
The fire caused significant damage, with estimated losses exceeding $1 million, including $800,000 in structural damage and $250,000 in content loss. The origin and cause of the fire remain undetermined and under investigation. Multiple passersby called 911 to report the blaze.
UPDATE (initial dispatch 1/29 ~8p) – 5310 Griffith Rd, Laytonsville, house unoccupied at time (during renovation preparing for occupancy within the next 2 weeks); Origin/Cause, undetermined; Significant Damage; no injuries; several passerby’s called 911; non-hydrant area https://t.co/D0I1EV07bo pic.twitter.com/YqtXhzMmsf
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 29, 2025