Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire around 5:45 a.m. on July 4 in the 500 block of Ethan Allen Avenue in Takoma Park, where an unoccupied home under long-term construction was fully engulfed in flames.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, approximately 50 firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. No injuries were reported. The home, which had been under sporadic construction for the past five years, was deemed a total loss. Damage is estimated to exceed $1 million, including approximately $900,000 to the structure itself and around $150,000 in collateral damage.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. We will provide an update if additional verified information becomes available.
ICYMI (7/4 ~545a) Ethan Allen Av, Takoma Park, MD, house under construction (multi-year process), unoccupied that time, neighbor saw smoke/flames called 911, lots of fire evident at time of arrival, 50 FFs responded, damage – total loss, origin/cause – under investigation https://t.co/kUP3CxA0hg pic.twitter.com/OlIG4SAYFP
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 4, 2025