MCFRS Archives - Page 182 of 197

Pilot and Passenger Rescued After Crashing Into Power Lines; Power Restored to Most Residents

Published November 28, 2022 at 8:15AM

The pilot and passenger of a small plane that crashed into a power line tower near Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village around 5:30pm on Sunday were successfully rescued without incident by EMS personnel using two specialty crane/boom trucks just after midnight on Monday. According to Maryland State Police, the pilot was identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. and the passenger was identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The plane was also removed from the power lines early Monday morning.

ICYMI @MontgomeryCoMD Rescue operations @mcfrs @dcfireems Technical Rescue Team(s) rescue/removed 2 adult occupants trapped on plane that crashed into power lines in Gaithersburg, MD area. Tower & Crane company (contractors) working w/ PEPCO & @mcfrs to get plane down. https://t.co/bgesIAf7uQ pic.twitter.com/sY3O0Eq2tG

MCPS Announces It’s Monitoring The Situation; Message About School Impacts to Come Later

By MCS Staff

Published November 27, 2022 at 9:29PM

MCPS has announced it is “monitoring the situation concerning the large power outage in many areas of the county. Any message about impacts to school operations will come later as more information becomes available.” after a plane crashed has led to widespread power outages across the county.

The plane crash occurred around 5:30pm on Sunday night. According to the latest information from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue, there appears to be three individuals inside the plane, which is currently suspended about 100ft. As of right now there are no injuries reported. Fire and rescue crews are working to rescue the occupants of the plane, but at this time the power lines surrounding the plane are still energized.

Small Plane Crashes Into Power Lines in Gaithersburg; Power Outages Reported Across The County

By Patrick Herron

Published November 27, 2022 at 7:06PM | Updated November 27, 2022 at 7:26PM

6:20pm Update: “Small plane into powerlines & tower plow, suspended about 100 feet in the air, two persons on board uninjured at this time, @mcfrs on scene, Widespread power outages, some roads closed in area” per MCFRS

A small plane crash in the area of Rothbury Dr & Goshen Road in Gaithersburg has caused widespread power outages in the area. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, the plane crashed into powerlines and is “dangling hundred feet in air, pilot and passenger trapped in plane”. The incident occurred around 5:30pm and the pilot of the involved aircraft is in contact with Montgomery County’s Emergency Communications Center (911), according to Public Safety Reporter Cordell Pugh. We will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.

MCFRS Responds to Report of Basement Fire in North Potomac

By MCS Staff

Published November 26, 2022 at 11:58AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a report of a fire in the basement of a home on the 14000 block of Saddle River Drive near Paramus Drive off of Dufief Mill Rd in North Potomac on Saturday morning, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

Units arrived to find a malfunctioning washing machine, but not a fire, that was caused by a broken water pipe and minor flooding conditions, according to an update by Piringer. There were no injuries. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Will Not Be Selling Christmas Trees This Year

By MCS Staff

Published November 26, 2022 at 8:41AM

Per the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department: Unlike in past years, RVFD will not be selling Christmas trees this year. If you would like to support another volunteer fire/rescue department, the following are selling trees this year:

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad – 5020 Battery La. Bethesda, MD

Donations Still Being Accepted for Approximately 50 People, Including 10 Children, Affected by Explosion/Fire

By MCS Staff

Published November 25, 2022 at 9:03AM

Making Homes Possible (MHP) is still collecting donations after approximately 50 people, including 10 children, from 25 families displaced (most of whom lost everything) one week ago after a fire & explosion on Quince Orchard Blvd, in Gaithersburg.

Per Making Homes Possible (MHP): November 16 explosion and fire injured multiple residents, including several children, at the Potomac Oaks condominium complex at 826 Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. Two buildings sustained significant damage and partially collapsed in the blast. Two other buildings were also evacuated because they may have structural damage. Many people were evacuated with little or nothing and now are in temporary shelter. At the request of Montgomery County, MHP is collecting financial donations to help affected families.

MCFRS Respond to Several Fires on Thanksgiving Day

By MCS Staff

Published November 25, 2022 at 7:36AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to various fires across the county on Thanksgiving Day, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

At approximately 12:30pm, units responded to a call for smoke coming from the HVAC unit in the community room at Sanctuary Senior Apartments on the 400 block of University Blvd E near Schuyler Rd in Silver Spring. The fire was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries.

Brush Fire Temporarily Stops CSX RR Train Traffic

By MCS Staff

Published November 23, 2022 at 7:40PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call of a brush fire in the area of 16th Street and Spring Street in Silver Spring on Wednesday evening, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

Three units are on the scene as of ~6:30pm working on hotspots in the area. The fire temporarily stopped CSX RR train traffic, but it has since resumed while firefighters work on the hotspots. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

MCFRS Respond to Fire in Germantown Wednesday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published November 23, 2022 at 7:04PM | Updated November 23, 2022 at 7:23PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) are responding to a report of a fire in the chimney of a single family home on Wayfarer Rd, near Blunt Rd., in North Germantown, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

Multiple responded to the call to find a fire in fireplace that extended to an area behind the chimney insert. The fire in the box was extinguished and crews are currently looking for any possible further extension. No injuries. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Vehicle Fire at Home Depot Tuesday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published November 22, 2022 at 9:45PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a burning vehicle at Home Depot in Aspen Hill (14000 Georgia Ave, near Connecticut Ave) at approximately 1:50pm, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

Crews arrived to find a vehicle on fire under the loading dock with smoke visible to several people from the nearby Aspen Hill shopping center. The vehicle, which was located at the “contractor pick-up” loading area, was quickly extinguished. There was minor damage to the canopy and no injuries. The vehicle is a total loss.

Heated Cat House Causes Fire on Monday Night

By MCS Staff

Published November 22, 2022 at 10:18AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire on the 12000 block of Saw Mill Ct. off of Shorefield Dr. In Wheaton-Glenmont. at approximately 11:15 on Monday night.

According to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, crews arrived on the scene of an “Outside-In fire” that started on the deck of the townhome and extended up the rear of the home and into the attic of the home. The origin of the fire was an electrical malfunction of a heated cat house that was located on the deck behind the home. Approximately $300k of damages were incurred. Two adults, one child, and one cat were displaced and there were no injuries.