Two Firefighters Hurt Battling House Fire While Family Is At Funeral

Two Prince George’s County firefighters were hurt battling a house fire in Springdale Saturday while the resident was at her husband’s funeral, officials said.

Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire that has been listed as undetermined at this time.

About 1:30 p.m. Saturday, firefighters were alerted to a two-story house on fire in the 3800 block of Endicott Place in Springdale. There were no occupants present as family members were attending a funeral for the home’s owner just a few blocks away. Heavy fire conditions were found on both floors and through the roof. Fire damage is estimated at $200,000.

The family had heard of the fire and soon gathered at a neighbor’s yard to observe the home’s demise, according to fire officials. The funeral was being held for the husband who lived at the house with his wife. She was offered assistance from the American Red Cross, however she is staying with family members.

Two firefighters suffered injuries while fighting the fire. The most seriously injured is a firefighter from the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Station, who suffered second- and third-degree burns to his neck and shoulders. He has been admitted to the Burn Unit at the Medstar Washington Hospital Center. Medical procedures are scheduled to be performed over the next couple of days and he will remain hospitalized until sometime mid-week if all goes well, officials said.

A second firefighter sustained an electrical shock while operating in a water-filled basement. The firefighter, assigned to the Kettering/Largo Fire/EMS Station, was taken to the Burn Unit for evaluation and released the same night.