On January 27, 2005 at 1334 hours, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the 13100 block of Twinbrook Parkway, box area 2303, for the reported fire in apartment 101 of the Rock Creek Woods Apartments.
Engine 231 arrived on the scene to find a working fire in a four story apartment building. Units encountered heavy fire conditions in two apartments on the second floor, three apartments on the third floor, and the attic.
The fire quickly went to three alarms, bringing about 125 firefighters to the scene.
Although firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack, the volume of fire was too great and caused the roof to collapse. All personnel were forced to temporarily evacuate the structure until a ladder pipe operation was able to knock the fire back down.
Crews were able to re-enter the structure an extinguish the fire.
Initial reports are that the fire started in the walls as workers were sweating pipes in the basement of the building.
Damage from the fire is estimated at over $5 million.
First Alarm - Engines 231 and 31, Rescue Engine 33, Engine 51, Aerial Tower 23, Truck 3, Rescue Squad 18, Medic 239, and Battalion Chiefs 3 and 4. Safety Dispatch - Truck 25, Aerial Tower 18, and Ambulance 38. Second Alarm - Engines 251, 181, 331, and 201, Aerial Towers 26 and 51, Medic 259, and EMS1. Third Alarm - Engines 501, 281, 61, and 191, Truck 6, Rescue Squad 29, Ambulance 25, and Air 16. Other units from Rockville - Chief 3-3 and Utility 3
