Man Dies in Gaithersburg Townhome Fire

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A man died in the basement of a Gaithersburg townhouse destroyed Tuesday night in a two-alarm fire, authorities said.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials have not released the victim's name.

Firefighters were called about 10 p.m. to the 1800 block of Windjammer Way in Gaithersburg to fight the blaze in a two-story, middle-of-the row townhouse.

A smoke alarm warned two occupants of the home, who escaped the fire and called 911. Firefighters were made told a resident who lived in the basement was unaccounted for.

Firefighters escorted neighbors out of their homes next door and a second alarm was called to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene. Ultimately, the bulk of the fire was brought under control, and mostly contained to the townhouse's basement.

Shortly after midnight, a man's body was found among the debris in the basement.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and county fire investigators are working with Montgomery County Police Homicide detectives, which is standard procedure with a fire death.

Because of the extensive damage to the townhome and the partial collapse of the first floor, investigators are waiting for engineers to stabilize the structure so the investigation can proceed.

The Red Cross is assisting the townhome occupants and neighbors who have been displaced by the fire.

Damage estimates are pending.

More than 100 firefighters were on scene and there were no reported injuries to fire department personnel or residents.

»Gaithersburg fire scene photos courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services