Strong Winds Spread Fires, Power Outages in Montgomery County

KENSINGTON, MD — Strong winds snapped power poles and tree limbs over the weekend across Montgomery County, which left a Kensington apartment complex without power Sunday and fanned flames that destroyed a barn in the Clarksburg area, authorities said.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Spokesman Pete Piringer said a power pole was snapped by the wind in the 10200 block of Frederick Avenue near Kensington Parkway on Sunday. Lines down closed roads in the area and 140 apartments at Kensington House Apartments were without electricity for several hours.

In Clarksburg, a fire destroyed a barn on Stringtown Road as firefighters battled the gusty winds. Piringer said on Twitter that more than 60 firefighters fought the blaze, which winds spread to nearby brush.

According to Piringer, the barn is a total loss. He said damage is estimated at $10,000. There were no injuries.

Another large brush fire was reported in the 21300 block of Martinsburg Road in Dickerson, near Rt. 28 Darnestown Road. The blaze was likely caused by downed power lines, he said.

And on Tuckerman Lane between Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda, a large branch struck a vehicle. No injuries were reported, but some lanes were blocked for a short time.

»Photos of Kensington apartment without power, Clarksburg barn fire, and tree that hit car in North Bethesda, all from Pete Piringer, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.