Just before 10 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 13 firefighter/paramedics from District Heights and surrounding communities were alerted to a house fire in the 2000 block of County Road.
Firefighters found a wood-frame structure with smoke and fire showing from the second floor. An aggressive interior attack was initiated and primary searches for occupants were made. The fire was extinguished and contained to the room of origin.
An adult male was the only one home when he was awakened by choking from the thick smoke. He sustained injuries while exiting the home.
The occupant stated that the home was equipped with a smoke alarm, but that it did not activate for unknown reasons. Paramedics tended to his injuries on the scene and transported him to an area burn unit for minor burns and possible smoke inhalation.
The fire appears to have started in a second-floor bedroom. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the preliminary fire loss is estimated at $40,000. Firefighters' rapid containment of the fire limited the amount of damage to the house.
The home will not be livable until repairs are made and the family will be temporarily displaced. The Fire/EMS Department’s Citizen Services Unit will be assisting the family of three adults and two children with temporary shelter.
