Two people are hurt and dozens of residents are expected to be displaced after a fire broke out in a Rockville, Maryland, apartment building on Monday morning.
The fire is allegedly attributed to a malfunctioning heating and air conditioning unit.
The heavy fire broke out in a three-story apartment building at 848 College Parkway in Rockville, a little before 9 a.m., said Pete Piringer, a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and EMS.
By around 11 a.m. Monday, more than 100 firefighters were battling the three-alarm fire which firefighters said started on the third floor before spreading up to the fourth floor and the attic.
Update – 3-Alarm, Plymouth Woods, 800blk College Parkway, Rockville, >$1M damage; >30 Apts & several dozen residents (& some pets) displaced; CAUSE, under investigation; 2 civilians NLT injuries, @ReadyMontgomery & Red Cross assisting https://t.co/fpEgdMmHTo pic.twitter.com/aItWxCKOIP
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 31, 2022
The fire burned through the roof of the building, and spread to two nearby buildings in the Plymouth Woods neighborhood.
At least two residents were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The fire caused more than $1.5 million in damage.
Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region said later in the day that their team members would be providing assistance to the estimated 25 families displaced by the fire, including food, water, financial resources, emotional support and the replacement of medications, according to need.
Piringer said in a Twitter update that the Montgomery County MD Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) would also be assisting the residents.
Authorities have not determined what started the fire, but have said that it began in unit 778 and spread to neighboring units 880 and 882. The roof was reportedly burned off in 778 and 880.
In total, Goldstein said around 24 apartments across the three units are displaced.
Patrick Campbell, with the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, said 40 people were displaced by the fire.
Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz interrupted his weekly morning briefing to thank the firefighters and all first responders “for their swift action in working to contain” the fire.
“We are thinking of all of those residents who are experiencing the losses associated with this fire and wishing anyone who suffered any injuries a full recovery,” he said.
Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services also deployed its Mass Care Team.
Approximate location of Monday’s fire in Rockville:
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
