Hundreds Evacuated, Two Hurt, in Chevy Chase Apartment Fire

CHEVY CHASE, MD — A fire caused by an extension cord sent two Chevy Chase residents to the hospital and caused the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the high-rise apartment building Tuesday night.

Dozens of Montgomery County firefighters were called to the blaze at the Willard Apartments at 4701 Willard Ave.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Pete Piringer said the fire started on the 16th floor of the building, like in the sunroom/study of an apartment. Hallway sprinklers prevent the spread of the fire until firefighters arrived.

Piringer told Montgomery Community Media hundreds of residents were evacuated and some residents with mobility issues had to be helped out of the building by firefighters.

The fire damage is estimated at $25,000, Piringer said. He said the fire was electrical in nature and the cause was related to an extension cord.

Two residents were taken to a local hospital for exposure to the fire and smoke. Their injuries are not life threatening, Piringer said.

The fire has displaced six residents from their homes.

»Fire scene photo, video courtesy of Pete Piringer’s Twitter feed, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue