Bethesda House Fire Causes More Than $800K In Damage: MCFRS

BETHESDA, MD — An unattended stovetop is to blame for a Monday morning fire that caused more than $800,000 of damage to a Bethesda home, say fire officials.

The blaze broke out around 2:45 a.m. at 7601 Persimmon Tree Lane, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer. The only person home at the time could not access the phone, which was in the kitchen, and had to go to a neighbor's house to call 9-1-1. Piringer said the person likely left the house without closing the door.

A closed door, according to the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute, can slow the spread of flames and reduce fire damage to adjacent rooms.

More than 80 firefighters responded to the home on Persimmon Tree Lane, which Piringer says had no working smoke detectors.

One firefighter was injured while battling the flames. Piringer, however, did not disclose the extent of the firefighter's injuries.

Update (~245a) 7601 Persimmon Tree Lane, Potomac; Cause, unattended pot on stove; Area of Origin, Kitchen; note: sole occupant discovered smoke & could not access phone (in kitchen) went to neighbors to call 911 (likely left door open); Total Damage >$800K; no working smoke alarm pic.twitter.com/EFnMn3eJk9
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 7, 2019