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Apartment complex fire is latest in trend
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A three-alarm fire that erupted at an apartment complex in Beltsville on Monday was just the latest in what officials say is a disturbing trend in apartment fires in the area.
Residents of 34 units of the three-story complex located in the 11200 block of Cherry Hill Road were evacuated, Mark Brady, a Prince George’s Fire and EMS spokesman, said.
He said two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated for smoke inhalation and a burn to the head fighting the wind-whipped fire.
Monday’s incident follows a weekend of fires in suburban Maryland.
On Sunday, 40 people were displaced in a fire in Montgomery County that reached 16 units, causing $1 million in damage.
No injuries were reported on Sunday until firefighters were called to an apartment at 14911 McKisson Court. A resident was cooking when the stove caught on fire.
A sprinkler contained the flames, but the resident received minor burns when moving pots from the stove. Another person in the apartment was treated for smoke inhalation.
The cause of Monday’s fire in Prince George’s County is still under investigation.
Brady said displaced residents were being housed in the complex’s community center until the American Red Cross can assist them in finding something more permanent.
The fires come less than a week after Montgomery Fire Officials warned of serious deficiencies in fire suppression and alarm systems in many of the county’s high-rise apartment buildings.
Lawmakers are considering legislation that would require existing apartment complexes to install sprinkler systems despite objections to high costs.
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12:31 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 29, 2007 re: "Three young men save child from house fire in Aspen Hill"
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Elizabeth said:
Hey best of luck! i hope that izabel is ok!
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