Daughter Charged With Setting $300K Silver Spring Area House Fire

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Silver Spring area woman is charged with arson after a fire heavily damaged her family home early Friday, say authorities. Montgomery County firefighters arrived at 16613 Sea Island Court in the Hampshire Greens area to see flames shooting through the roof of the house.

More than 75 firefighters put out the blaze in frigid conditions; the temperature was 3 degrees when crews arrived at the scene about 2 a.m.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Pete Piringer said that a smoke alarm alerted family members to the fire, and the residents tried to put out the blaze, which delayed the initial alarm. Damage is estimated at more than $300,000.

The 19-year-old daughter of the homeowner is being charged with one count of first-degree arson and three counts of reckless endangerment in the case, reports NBC Washington. The fire started in a second-floor bedroom, fire officials said.

The homeowner told NBC he used a blanket in a futile effort to put out the flames, but it only made the fire worse. When the family fled the house they left the doors open, which further fueled the fire.

Two adults and two children were displaced by the fire damage. No injuries to residents or firefighters was reported.

»Photos of fire courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services