A family of eight was displaced Friday night after a house fire in the 12800 block of Tern Drive in Gaithersburg.
According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Pete Piringer, crews were dispatched around 8 p.m. for a reported fire in a second-floor bathroom, and arrived to find smoke visible from the front door and a possible fire in the basement. The family was alerted by a smoke alarm and evacuated safely.
Investigators determined the fire originated in the basement HVAC utility room and extended to a floor joist, then spread through a pipe chase to the second floor. The cause was listed as accidental and undetermined. Damage was estimated at more than $150,000. The displaced family includes three adults and five children.
Update 12/12 (~8p) 12800 Tern Dr, Darnestown, family alerted by smoke alarm, they got out; Origin/Cause, basement HVAC utility room, extended to floor joist & via pipe chase to 2nd floor; accidental, undetermined; Damage >$150K; 1 family incl 3 adults, 5 children displaced; https://t.co/S65CkMtPjg pic.twitter.com/DOnnz7kpC5
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) December 13, 2025
