3-Alarm Fire At Kensington Condo Building Displaces Dozens: MCFRS

KENSINGTON, MD — More than 100 firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze at a Kensington condominium complex Tuesday, which caused around $2 million in damages and displaced dozens of residents, authorities said.

The fire broke out in a ninth-floor bedroom of The Waterford Condominium around 5:15 a.m., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer said. The Waterford Condominium is at 150-unit complex located at at 3333 University Blvd. W.

Update -3333 University Blvd W Waterford Condominium bldg dates back to mid1960’s & has nearly 150 Condo/Apts. The bldg is non-sprinklered. 15 units are impacted (Fire, Smoke, Water) & not occupied tonite. 1 from primary fire damage & 14 from smoke & water damage. Damage $2M pic.twitter.com/f61btQuepM
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 2, 2019

A resident first noticed the fire and pulled the fire alarm, Piringer added. She was taken to a hospital and treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Residents were able to evacuate the 12-story high-rise safely. Some people, however, needed to be rescued by firefighters. In total, two residents and a firefighter were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Piringer said.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. However, Piringer believes it may have been caused by a candle or an incense or an electrical issue in the bedroom.

Update - Waterford Condos - CAUSE likely related to candle/incense or electrical in bedroom. Apt had large amount of household clutter but not to level of hoarding. Resident noticed fire, exited to central hallway & activated local fire alarm & attempted to use of extinguisher https://t.co/NhPkUVwEBT
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 3, 2019