On the morning of Friday, May 16, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a middle-of-the-row townhouse fire on the 11900 block of Roan Ln. in Gaithersburg. The accidental blaze caused extensive damage estimated at approximately $700K with seven adults and six children displaced from multiple homes. Arlington Fire Department Captain David Zuniga alerted the Song family by banging on their door, prompting their quick evacuation. A GoFundMe has been started for the Song Family, and a video of Captain Zuniga alerting them can be seen below. We were informed over the weekend that the Bett family was also displaced, with a fundraiser started for them that’s available here.
Yesterday, Assistant MCFRS Chief David Pazos remarked, “Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Earlier this morning, an Arlington County firefighter living adjacent to the townhouse fire called MCFRS 911 while quickly alerting his neighbors. All occupants escaped unharmed.” MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer added, “Captain David Zuniga and his family lost their home in the devastating fire this morning. Thankfully, they’re safe, but they now face a tough road ahead.”
According to Saturday’s update from Piringer, the incident, which originated indoors and likely spread outdoors, may have involved damaged lithium batteries among a large debris pile and compromised electrical components, although the exact cause remains undetermined.
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