74 Year-Old Dies in Maryland Apartment Blaze

March 16, 2007
Since January of 2005, 11 people have been killed by fires in Montgomery County; 10 of those victims were senior citizens.

SILVER SPRING, Md.-- A 74-year-old woman is the latest senior citizen to die in a Montgomery County fire. Rosa Garcia was found dead in the bedroom of her second floor apartment. Fire investigators have not found anything suspicious about the fire and are looking at accidental causes.

Since January of 2005, 11 people have been killed by fires in Montgomery County. Ten of those victims were senior citizens.

Montgomery County Fire spokesman Pete Piringer urges adult children to check on their elderly parents and for potential safety problems in their homes.

Piringer says smoking and cooking have been the leading causes of fatal fires involving seniors.

Rosa Garcia's body was found in bed. Fire investigators say the blaze started in her bedroom. One of Garcia's granddaughters tells 9NEWS NOW that her grandmother didn't smoke.

Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.

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