DARNESTOWN, Md. (WUSA9) -- A family of six were forced from their home by a raging two-alarm fire in Darnestown late Thursday night.
Captain Oscar Garcia, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, says crews were called to a house fire in the 25100 block of Rollinmeade Drive around 10:39 p.m. Once on scene firefighters found a two story single-family home with the 1st and 2nd floors fully engulfed by flames. Crews called for a second alarm immediately after arrival.
According to Capt. Garcia, the fire was so intense it threatened a second house next door. The heavy fire conditions and structural instability forced the 75 firefighters on the scene to douse the flames from outside the home.
All occupants were out of the house when help arrived, including four children and two adults. There are no reported injuries.
The flames caused extensive damage to the home, and fire crews will remain at the scene throughout the night to watch out for flames that could rekindle.
According to Montgomery County fire spokesperson, Pete Piringer, the fire left an estimated $1.5 million worth of damage.
He says investigators believe the cause was accidental "spontaneous combustion." Piringer tweeted that "contractors working on deck earlier may have improperly discarded oily rags, paint brushes, etc. in plastic bag."
According to Piringer, the fire started in the shed, then spread to the deck and house.
