Firefighters Make Daring Rescue of Woman in Burning Building in Landover

LANDOVER, MD — A woman is in critical condition but still alive thanks to the actions of Prince George's County firefighters, who responded quickly after a single-family home went up in flames with the woman still trapped inside.

Firefighters received a call just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18 in the 6400 block of Country Club Court, with one of the 911 callers telling dispatch that someone was still inside the house, according to a statement from the Prince George's County Fire Department.

"Firefighters arrived at the 1-½ story, with basement, single family home with heavy smoke and fire showing," the statement reads. "First arriving firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack on the fire with a simultaneous search for the trapped occupant. Within a short period of time an adult female was located inside and quickly removed from the house as other firefighters continued to extinguish the fire."

The woman suffered from burn and smoke inhalation injuries, and is currently in a Burn Unit in critical condition.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 20 minutes of arrival, and there were no other injuries.

The fire department's work is only just beginning. Investigators will try to figure out a cause and origin of the fire, as well as estimated fire losses. They will also return to the Landover community to "check smoke alarms and talk with neighbors about the fire and status of the injured female," the statement notes.

"Whenever a significant fire occurs or fire related injury firefighters return within 24 hours to talk with neighbors and check smoke alarms," PGFD added. "If a home is found without a working smoke alarm, a new 10-year smoke alarm will be installed for them, free of charge. County residents can also call 311 and ask for this same service."

County law requires a working 10-year smoke alarm on every level of a home. A carbon monoxide alarm is also required for homes with natural gas service, a fireplace or an attached garage.

Image via Prince George's County Fire Department