Huge Blaze at Greenbelt Apartment Complex Forces 31 Out of Their Homes

GREENBELT, MD — Dozens of firefighters braved 20-degree temperatures to battle a two-alarm blaze at an apartment fire in Greenbelt that displaced 31 people just days before Christmas.

The fire, which broke out at at around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday at 7800 Hanover Parkway, caused $75,000 in damage and displaced 18 adults, 13 children, seven dogs, four cats and one large snake, according to a report from Prince George's County Fire/EMS.

The report notes that the fire was "quickly extinguished," but by the time firefighters had arrived it had spread from the second floor of a three-story garden-style apartment building to the third floor and attic area, resulting in the second alarm.

Firefighters conducted an interior attack on the fire and searched for any remaining occupants. Everyone in the building was able to evacuate thanks to working smoke alarms that alerted them.

Although the fire was confined to two apartments, the entire building is now uninhabitable, the report notes. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those who were displaced by the fire.