Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire in the 8100 block of Pepper Ridge Way in Derwood on Sunday morning.
According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, firefighters arrived to find heavy flames on the rear deck of a two-story single-family home in the Mineral Springs Village/Emory Grove neighborhood. The fire had already extended to the home’s siding and into the attic, prompting a large response and presenting crews with intense fire conditions upon arrival.
Roughly 75 firefighters responded to the scene and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire within 10 minutes. All occupants discovered the exterior fire and escaped unharmed before crews arrived. One family of four has been displaced as a result of the fire.
No injuries have been reported. The fire is believed to have originated on the rear deck and is likely associated with an unused charcoal grill. Radiant heat from the flames also caused damage to two neighboring homes.