MCFRS Archives - Page 155 of 178

$600K in Damage, Five Displaced After Monday Night Fire

Published March 28, 2023 at 7:16AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire on Aventurine Way, off of Serpentine Way, in Fairland at approximately 9pm on Friday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to find a heavy fire with the occupants already out of the single family home. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined, but Piringer notes that it may have been due to an electrical failure in an exterior light fixture or smoking materials that ignited combustibles below the rear deck. There was approximately $600k in damage and five people were displaced. Two firefighters were injured with non-life threatening injuries.

North Carolina Fire is Likely Cause of Smokey Smell Across Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

Published March 27, 2023 at 1:28PM

Lt. Franco Martinez of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) has addressed multiple calls regarding smoke or a smokey smell in various parts of the county. Per Lt. Martinez, “Is there something in the air in Montgomery County? Apparently there is. Our department is getting multiple calls for smoke in the area. It just might be from a very large fire in North Carolina. Fire departments in the DMV getting the same reports.”

Per an OuterBanksVoice tweet, “Tyrrell County Wildfire now 34% contained. March 26 update from the North Carolina Forest Service. The Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County is 34% contained as of 4 p.m., March 26. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire is 5,200 acres in size.”

Two-Car Collision Sends Three To The Hospital in Germantown on Sunday Night

By MCS Staff

Published March 26, 2023 at 9:35PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a two-car collision on Frederick Rd and Plummer Drive in Germantown at approximately 8pm on Sunday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crash debris was spread out approximately 150 yards following the crash. The fuel tank of one of the vehicles ruptured, but the gas was contained with absorbent with some lanes temporarily blocked. Three people were transported to the hospital, all with non life-threatening injuries.

Update: Three Transported to Hospital After Collision Involving Minivan and School Bus

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 12:29PM | Updated March 23, 2023 at 1:11PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue services responded to Midcounty Hwy, near Washington Grove Ln, on Thursday morning around 8:30am for the report of a collision. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision involved a minivan that struck (rear-ended) a school bus. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. The driver of the minivan was extricated after being “severely trapped/pinned” inside their vehicle. A total of three people were transported to the hospital. Approximately 30 MCFRS firefighters responded to the scene, including two squads, three manpower engines, three EMS transport, and four command staff. Medevac was initially requested on scene due to injuries sustained by the occupant of the minivan but was unavailable due to the weather.

Westbound Midcounty Highway is currently closed from Miller Fall Road to Washington Grove Lane due to the collision. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Midcounty Highway Closed Due to Collision Involving School Bus and Minivan; No Passengers on Board Bus

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 9:38AM | Updated March 23, 2023 at 9:56AM

RT @mcpnews TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Westbound Midcounty Highway is closed from Miller Fall Road to Washington Grove Lane as the result of a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays. https://t.co/HVEUnckEs1

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 23, 2023

Four Separate Crashes Result in Overturned Vehicles Across Montgomery County on Monday

By MCS Staff

Published March 20, 2023 at 7:32PM

Four separate crashes resulted in overturned vehicles across Montgomery County on Monday, March 20, according to various reports by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

The first was a single vehicle collision with rollover on I-270 on Monday morning around 9am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the crash occurred on SB I270 in the HOV/Express Lane between Shady Grove Road and Route 28, prior to Exit 6. There were no injuries reported.

MCFRS Responds to Crash That Leads to Overturned Vehicle in Olney

By MCS Staff

Published March 20, 2023 at 4:12PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a crash that occurred at approximately 3pm on Evangeline Lane and Hines Road in Olney.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision caused a vehicle to overturn, trapping one person inside (the person was extricated by rescue crews). Another vehicle that was involved also crashed through a fence and into a tree. One adult was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and some lanes are blocked.

MCFRS Respond to House Fire Sunday Afternoon; No Injuries, $275K in Damage

By MCS Staff

Published March 19, 2023 at 7:29PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a chimney fire on Rippling Brook Drive in Aspen Hill at approximately 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, a neighbor called 911 to report a chimney fire and crews arrived to fire showing from the roof and attic of the home. The fire started in the attic of the home and is believed to electrical in nature. The sole occupant of the home was able to escape without injury, but there was approximately $275k in damage.

Dishwasher Believed To Be Cause of House Fire That Led to $200K in Damage Saturday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published March 19, 2023 at 11:09AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire on the 14400 block of Big Bear Court, off of Bel Pre Road and Layhill Rd, in what is considered Aspen Hill/Silver Spring on Saturday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer in one of two basement apartments (unoccupied at the time of the fire) of a two-story single family home. Units were able to quickly extinguish the fire after arriving and it is believed that the cause likely involved the dishwasher that was located in the basement kitchen. It extended to nearby cabinets and melted the water line of an unattended ‘de facto’ sprinkler, according to Piringer. One person was displaced and approximately $200k in damage was incurred. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

MCFRS Extinguish Car Fire in Rockville Saturday Morning (Video)

By MCS Staff

Published March 18, 2023 at 8:26AM | Updated March 18, 2023 at 9:27AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a vehicle fire near Highwood Road, in Rockville, at approximately 6:15 on Saturday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the vehicle fire was extinguished shortly after the MCFRS units arrived and there were no injuries. Video below, courtesy of MCFRS:

Two Acres Burned By Wind-Driven Brush Fire on Wednesday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published March 16, 2023 at 8:27AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a brush fire at 300 Scott Drive, near Vierling Drive, in Colesville on Wednesday evening. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 30 firefighters, four fire engines, three brush trucks, one aerial tower, and several utility trucks worked to contain the wind-driven brush fire.

The fire occurred in a relatively remote area along the Northwest Branch/Anacostia River. It was contained and extinguished, but roughly two acres were burned, according to Piringer. There were no injuries, but “possibly some squirrels, woodchucks, deer, raccoons, maybe a snake or two are displaced.”