Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded Monday evening around 7 pm to the Westchester West Apartments in the 3200 block of Hewitt Avenue in Aspen Hill for a reported apartment fire.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical malfunction involving a portable heater or fan that ignited nearby combustible materials. Damage is estimated at about $15,000.
One family consisting of two adults and one child was displaced, and several cats were rescued. No injuries were reported. Fire officials also noted that the apartment did not have sprinklers and that the smoke alarms had been disconnected.
Update (2/9 ~7p) 3200blk Hewitt Av, 3rd floor; Origin/Cause, accidental, portable heater/fan, electrical malfunction, ignited nearby combustibles; Damage ~$15K; Displaced – 2 adults, 1 child, several cats (cats rescued); no sprinklers NOTE: smoke alarms had been disconnected https://t.co/hvelnRtBoC pic.twitter.com/LoVC3lljkj
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 10, 2026
