Cigarette Butts At Center Of Fire That Prompted $2M In Damages

MONTGOMERY CO., MD — A massive fire that displaced several families in Gaithersburg was started by a "multitude of cigarette butts" left on a balcony, officials said Friday.

The two-alarm blaze saw multiple crews respond to the Sawyer Flats apartment complex at 9800 Mahogany Drive, near the Washingtonian Rio area.

Officials began receiving multiple calls just before 9 p.m. about the fire, which was mostly limited to the exterior and attic space.

More - (initial dispatch ~850p Mahogany Dr & Washingtonian Boulevard near Rio Boulevard, numerous 911 calls received firefighters arrived minutes later to encounter heavy fire conditions, one person transported, fire is out, several others will be displaced https://t.co/fUqv5Z9Jkk pic.twitter.com/NjpwG6m2ZK

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 10, 2026

A Friday update revealed the fire started on a third-floor balcony.

Pete Piringer, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said investigators found cigarette butts improperly stored inside plastic containers.

Piringer said families living in at least eight apartment units were displaced, and that early cost estimates put damages at $2 million.

One person was rescued from the four-story apartment and hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. The resident's dog was also rescued by first responders.

Occupants from the lower-level units were also evacuated.

About 85 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.