WASHINGTON — It was an exhausting start to the week for Prince George’s County fire crews, as calls flooded the department Monday through the morning, afternoon and evening hours.
Department spokesman Mark Brady says the department responded to seven structure fires throughout the day. Most were in houses, but a couple were in apartment buildings.
“It’s no secret that we have more home fires during the cold temperatures than at any other time of the year,” says Brady. “A lot of that has to do with people staying inside and cooking, and the use of space heaters.”
Investigators say at least two of Monday’s fires were caused by people trying to stay warm. A house fire in Seat Pleasant was sparked by an electric space heater used too closely to combustibles. A malfunctioning chimney likely caused another house fire in Clinton, fire officials say.
In all, the fires displaced a number of people and caused tens of thousands of dollars in losses, but no one was injured.
