Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a large house fire in the 14600 block of Seneca Farm Lane in the Darnestown/Germantown are on Saturday, October 10, causing more than $12 million in damage and displacing five adults and three dogs.
According to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire originated on a rear patio beneath an elevated deck and rapidly spread into the attic and roof of the two-story single-family home. The entire roof eventually collapsed into the upper floors, forcing firefighters to temporarily evacuate the structure.
One adult was inside the home when the fire began and was removed by a neighbor before firefighters arrived. The home had functioning smoke alarms and a residential sprinkler system.
More than 65 firefighters responded to the blaze, with crews using tankers to shuttle water into the neighborhood because the area does not have fire hydrants. No injuries were reported. Investigators estimate total damage at more than $12 million, including approximately $1.65 million in structural damage and more than $11 million in damaged contents. According to fire investigators, the unusually high contents estimate includes approximately $3 million in designer boots and $8 million in designer clothing.
The home was a rental property. Five adults and three dogs were displaced by the fire. The cause remains under investigation, with officials examining multiple potential ignition sources in the rear patio area beneath the elevated deck.
