Hookah Smoking Device At Center Of Costly House Fire

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Several people were displaced over the weekend after a deck fire in Burtonsville.

Pete Piringer, spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said the fire broke out Sunday on the 3900 block of Bryant Park Circle. Officials arrived at the scene just before 5:30 p.m.

Early findings indicate the fire was caused by a hookah smoking pipe that tipped over on the rear deck of the townhouse.

"Burn patterns on deck suggest pipe fell over or wind scattered hot embers," Piringer said, noting that the hookah device had been used earlier in the day.

At the scene, emergency crews helped with removing one resident who was confined to a wheelchair. Several others were displaced in the aftermath.

Estimates by officials put the cost of damages at about $135,000 as the fire had extended from the deck to the townhouse and part of the neighboring home.