2 House Fires, Ambulance Stolen: Crazy 15-Hour Span For PG County Firefighters

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A couple of fires and a stolen ambulance resulted in a very busy 15 hours for PG County firefighters.

The first incident happened in the Berwyn Heights area at around 2:30 p.m. when a fire broke out at a house in the 6200 block of Pontiac Street.

"Fire/EMS units arrived to find a 2-story single family home with fire and smoke showing from the top floor," PG County Fire said in a statement. "Firefighters initiated an interior attack and search of the structure and ensured all occupants were out of the house. There were 35 personnel on the scene that required about 15 – 20 minutes to extinguish the fire."

Authorities haven't determined what caused the fire, which caused $75,000 in damage. Two firefighters had minor burn injuries.

About an hour later, someone stole a parked transport unit from the patient drop off area at Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly.

"The crew was inside the Emergency Department tending to their patient when it appears an adult male, a recently discharged patient, stole the unit," the report states. "The vehicle was tracked by on-board vehicle locater technology and quickly found abandoned at a nearby convenience store in the 6000 block of Arbor Street. Bystanders alerted arriving police officers of a possible suspect that was taken into custody."

And at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, firefighters responded to a house fire in the 7600 block of Willow Hill Drive in Seat Pleasant.

"Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire on the top floor and attic area of a 2-story split foyer home," the report states. "A working smoke alarm alerted the 2 adult occupants of the fire and they were able safely exit the home prior to the Fire Department arrival.

"At one point firefighters were pulled from the interior of the burning structure and transitioned to an exterior attck before re-entering and ensuring the fire was extinguished," it continues. "It appears the fire started on the structures exterior before extending into the interior. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Fire loss is estimated at $100,000. The 2 adult occupants are displaced and being assisted by the American Red Cross."

Image via PGFD