A fire that started in the Platinum Barbershop in Gaitherstowne Plaza Tuesday morning caused about $300,000 damage to businesses in the Gaithersburg, Maryland shopping center.
The fire caused $300,000 damage and left the Platinum Barbershop condemned and forced the closure of others. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
The fire at the Gaitherstowne Plaza went to two alarms and brought about 75 firefighters to the scene on May 14, 2019. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
The cause of the fire at Platinum Barber in Gaithersburg was an electrical power strip.(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
Firefighters are seen on the scene of the Platinum Barbershop May 14, 2019. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringe)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringe
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene of the fire at the Gaitherstowne Plaza in Gaithersburg around 5:10 a.m. May 14, 2019. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
Pets at the Gaithersburg Animal Hospital sheltered in place May 14, 2019 as firefighters put at a blaze at the Platinum Barbershop. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
The fire caused at least $300,000 damage at the Gaitherstowne Plaza in Gaithersburg on May 14; 2019. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
The inside of Platinum Barber is seen after the fire on May 14, 2019.(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue/Pete Piringer
A fire that started in the Platinum Barbershop in Gaitherstowne Plaza Tuesday morning caused about $300,000 damage to businesses in the Gaithersburg, Maryland, shopping center.
The cause of the fire is likely an electrical power strip, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.
The barbershop has been condemned by Gaithersburg officials.
Update – 2nd Alarm Gaitherstowne SC, 200blk N Frederick Av; several businesses affected/closed; fire damaged primarily contained to barber shop; Cause, electrical, likely power strip; Area of Origin, barber shop, cutting work station; Damage, ~$300K; 75 FFs responded; no injury pic.twitter.com/lEPAWqvyOg
Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with WTOP since 1996. Kelleher joined WTOP as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to WTOP.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.
