Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a significant structure fire early this morning on Cove Ledge Court, located off Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery Village. The initial dispatch was received around 3:50 AM, and the situation escalated to a second alarm due to the severity of the fire.
According to MCFRS Chief spokesperson Pete Piringer, by 4:20 AM firefighters had made substantial progress, knocking down the bulk of the visible flames and checking for any potential extension to neighboring structures. Emergency personnel were working on several hotspots at the scene. To assist those affected, buses were brought in for temporary sheltering, as multiple families were displaced by the incident.
As of 4:53 AM, it was confirmed that at least seven townhomes were impacted, displacing approximately two dozen individuals. The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, @ReadyMontgomery, is providing assistance to those affected, with Ride On buses en route to offer temporary shelter for residents. Fortunately, fire officials reported that the fire appeared to be under control, and there were no injuries reported.
By the 6:16 AM update, MCFRS confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. First responders encountered heavy fire at the rear of the three-level quad townhome upon arrival. While all occupants were able to evacuate safely, the damage was significant, and several families will need assistance in the aftermath of this incident.
Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire, and support services are being coordinated for the displaced families.
