MCFRS Archives - Page 134 of 178

MCFRS Responds to 5th Floor Apartment Complex Fire on Sunday Afternoon

Published October 8, 2023 at 4:17PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at the 1121 University Blvd W at University Towers II in Silver Spring early Sunday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, multiple units responded and saw smoke on the 5th floor. By 1:21pm the fire was out and firefighters were clearing smoke conditions on upper floors of the complex. The fire originated in a bedroom on the 5th floor and was likely caused by burning incense (too close to combustible spray used to neutralize food odor).

Update: Police Investigating Snouffer School Road Fatality

By Patrick Herron

Published October 8, 2023 at 9:54AM

Montgomery County police has issued a brief summary of events regarding a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Saturday, October 7: “At approximately 9 p.m., Montgomery County Fire Rescue and MCPD responded to the 8200 block of Snouffer School Road, just before Bonanza Way, for a pedestrian struck. Upon arrival, they found an adult male, who was pronounced dead at the location. The driver of a Hyundai Elantra remained on scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating this fatality. More information will be released when it is available, including the name of the deceased, following proper notification of next of kin.”

We will provide an update when additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Hosts Family-Friendly Open House on Sunday, October 8

By MCS Staff

Published October 8, 2023 at 8:45AM

The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its family-friendly open house on Sunday, October 8th at 10620 Connecticut Ave from 11am-3pm. The event will offer experiences for the entire family, including firefighter and EMS demonstrations, a DJ with music, clowns, temporary tattoos, balloon animals, gift basket raffle, blood pressure checks, fire prevention, fire hose station, fire safety bounce house, station tours, apparatus showcase, and more. Additional information in the flyer below.

Brief History of the KVFD: On October 26, 1899 a large fire was discovered around 6:00 AM. The bell at St. Paul’s M. E. Church was vigorously rung to alert the town citizens to the disaster. There was little that could be done however, and the fire destroyed the Montgomery Press office and the Town Hall. Realizing that the town needed protection from fire, the citizens met that night at the town library. Mr. Leslie W. Maxson was elected chief of the Kensington Fire Company and was instructed to organize a fire company immediately.

Three Adults and Two Pets Displaced Following Potomac Fire on Saturday Night

By MCS Staff

Published October 7, 2023 at 11:34PM | Updated October 9, 2023 at 3:59PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at a two-story single family home on the 12000 block of Coldstream Drive, near Victory Lane, in Potomac late Saturday evening into Saturday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire was out by approximately 8pm and one patient was evaluated for minor injuries. That person refused transport and all three occupants of the home were able to get out safely. The fire originated in the basement of the home, but a cause has not been made available. Three adults and two pets have been displaced. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Driver in Gaithersburg Saturday Night

By MCS Staff

Published October 7, 2023 at 9:51PM | Updated October 7, 2023 at 11:04PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County police responded to a call for a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Snouffer School Rd. in Gaithersburg on Saturday night. According to our public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, the pedestrian was deceased upon arrival and Snouffer School Rd. will remain closed between Cherry Laurel Ln. and Flower Hill Way for several hours for collision reconstruction.

Police tweeted the following at 9:32pm, “A collision involving a pedestrian has the 8200 block of Snouffer School Road shut down in both directions. Drivers should seek an alternate route.” We’ll update with additional information when it becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Update: Approximately 50 Firefighters Respond to Fire Friday Night in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published October 7, 2023 at 12:52PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at a three-story garden apartment at 900 Clopper Rd., near Metropolitan Grove Rd. in Gaithersburg shortly before 8pm on Friday night. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, smoke coming from the building was revealed to stem from a fire on the second floor. Multiple units responded and the building has been evacuated, with Clopper Road (MD-117) temporarily closed from Metropolitan Grove Road to Firstfield Road until late Friday night.

In an update provided by Piringer on Saturday, approximately 50 firefighters responded to the apartment fire. Two adults were transported to the hospital. One of the adults was located and rescued from the apartment of origin (smoke inhalation), and another adult from a different apartment was transported due to an unrelated medical issue. The cause is still under investigation. Two apartment units were displaces (three adults, one dog, and one cat) and where was approximately $110K in damage.

MCFRS Respond to Collision on I-270 Saturday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published October 7, 2023 at 8:39AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the scene of a collision that occurred on southbound I-270 prior to Shady Grove Road at approximately 7:30am on Saturday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the crash resulted to vehicles on both shoulders with multiple lanes blocked and residual traffic expected. There were no injuries.

Portion of Clopper Rd Closed Due to Apartment Fire on Friday Night

By MCS Staff

Published October 6, 2023 at 8:46PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) has responded to a call for a fire at a three-story garden apartment at 900 Clopper Rd., near Metropolitan Grove Rd. in Gaithersburg shortly before 8pm on Friday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, smoke coming from the building was revealed to stem from a fire on the second floor. Multiple units have responded, the building has been evacuated, and “Fire Department activity closes Clopper Road (MD-117) from Metropolitan Grove Road to Firstfield Road. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route.”

MCFRS Respond to Overturned Ambulance

By Patrick Herron

Published October 6, 2023 at 1:44PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to Brickyard Rd and Stable Ln in Potomac for the report of a collision involving an overturned ambulance. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred around 9:30am on Friday, October 6 due to the road surface being wet from morning precipitation, and “apparently very slick (likely build up of oil on road).”

The unit was returning from the hospital and there were no patients inside of the ambulance at the time of the collision. The crew of two sustained no serious injuries. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

Tractor-Trailer Fire Closes All Lanes of Southbound 270 Thursday Night

By Patrick Herron

Published October 6, 2023 at 7:48AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) responded to a tractor trailer-fire on Thursday, October 5, around 10:30pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred on the I-270 Spur, in the area of the MCPS school bus depot. The fire was caused by a damaged fuel tank and there were no injuries reported.

Hazmat assisted at the scene due to a fuel spill. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Aaron Wolf.

MCFRS Respond to House Fire Caused by Space Heater Thursday Evening

By Patrick Herron

Published October 5, 2023 at 9:23PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 400 block of Feather Rock Dr. in Rockville on Thursday, October 5 for the report of a fire. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, around 45 firefighters responded to the single-family house and located a fire in a basement bedroom.

The origin/cause of the fire was an electric space heater next to a mattress. Four adults have been displaced and two occupants of the home were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries (smoke inhalation). Damage is estimated to be~$25K. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.