Crime & Safety
$900K Damage to House in Fire; Alarms Save Family
Montgomery County firefighters say working smoke alarms saved a Germantown family and remind residents to test alarms this weekend.
GERMANTOWN, MD — A family escaped a house fire without injury Thursday night because they were alerted by working smoke alarms, officials said.
About 9:05 p.m. a house fire was reported at 18303 Aspen Dale Court in Germantown. Multiple 911 calls were received by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services indicating a fire in the garage.
The first fire crew on the scene reported heavy fire coming from the garage of the large, two-story, single-family home, with extension into the attic area and flames close to a neighboring home. In addition, several cars were on fire in the driveway.
Find out what's happening in Rockvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Firefighters were forced to fight the blaze from outside the house at first, and also worked to protect the neighbor’s home. The room above the garage collapsed, along with a garage wall and portions of the roof.
Five family members were in the house when the smoke alarms alerted them to the fire and everyone escaped the fire, along with the family's two dogs.
Find out what's happening in Rockvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fire investigators believe the fire began in the garage, but the exact cause is undetermined at this time.
Damage is estimated at $750,000 for the structure and vehicles and $150,000 for the contents.
There was also $75,000 in damage to a neighboring home. One firefighter was taken to an area hospital for a checkup.
The occupants of the home and the neighboring home were displaced as a result of the damage.
Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said at the scene that working smoke alarms save lives.
The department wants to make extra sure that you take time this weekend to test your smoke alarms. Before you go to bed Saturday, push the test button on the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm(s) in your home.
If they are not working, replace the battery -- unless it is a sealed 10 year lithium battery at which point you will have to get a new alarm.
Also remember that if your smoke alarm is 10 years of age, or older, it needs to be replaced.
»Photos of Germantown house fire on Aspen Dale Court, courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
