Shortly before Midnight, Wednesday, August 10, Rescue Squad 1 was alerted for a reported apartment building fire at 8644 Piney Branch Road, mutual aid to Montgomery County. First-arriving crews encountered heavy fire on all four floors of four-story garden apartment building with reports of people trapped.
Squad 1’s crew initially attempted to make a search via the second floor on side Charlie, conditions rapidly deteriorated and the two members evacuated via a ground ladder from the balcony. The crew conducted a quick search of several second and third floor apartments before units were ordered to evacuate the building. On arrival the Squad’s exterior crew also threw multiple ground ladders to the building.
The Squad stood by for rapid intervention for some time before being utilized to search an original fire apartment, which had partially collapsed. Chief 801B operated as the Fire Attack Group supervisor.
As of Thursday morning, Montgomery County’s technical rescue team was searching the collapsed building for several reportedly missing residents. About 30 people were transported to area hospitals, including several firefighters, and 90 people were displaced, according to Montgomery County DFRS
Three alarms were eventually sounded bringing resources from throughout the region. Montgomery County Fire/Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer reported that 15 engine companies, 7 truck/tower companies, two rescue squads, seven EMS units, three ambulance buses and 25 other support/command officers operated on the scene.
Rundown:
- First Alarm: Engine Companies 716, 701, 702, 719 & 712, TK716, TK834, TW719, SQ801, A716, TK812
- Other PG Units on 3-Alarm: PE844, E811B, TK814, MAB830, Multiple Command Officers
Audio
This will be an "all-nighter" for @mcfrs & PGFD units. PGFD here with box alarm + pic.twitter.com/Bxoqk1J11D
— Marc Bashoor (@PGFD_Chief) August 11, 2016
Company 2 among many units working on Piney Branch Road, an apparent explosion in multiple apartment buildings. pic.twitter.com/9wf0KpKGPR
— Takoma Park VFD (@tpvfd) August 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/lordrivz/status/763609429874835456
Eyewitness described hearing loud "boom." He took this photo a short while later. It's amazing anyone got out alive. pic.twitter.com/kDqZcbeZ80
— Kevin Lewis (@KevinLewis7News) August 11, 2016
.@mcfrsPIO has setup triage in strip mall parking lot with green/yellow/red tarps. At least 20 citizens are here. pic.twitter.com/0cVTev6cIc
— Kevin Lewis (@KevinLewis7News) August 11, 2016
#SILVERSPRING: 50-100 foot debris field, multiple ppl missing @nbcwashington has #breaking updates pic.twitter.com/bh9ERcVA4k
— ???? ??????? (@Chopper4Brad) August 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/erika_news/status/763629341452435456
Video from 3-alarm #explosion & #fire in Montgomery Co MD with #rescues & civilians burned https://t.co/pG7fa6ed1R pic.twitter.com/2cl1O3wNyC
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 11, 2016
ATF & MCFRS Fire & Explosive Investigators have a large debris field to search & document, some items >300 away pic.twitter.com/fcAr5FDlKr
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
