At about 2:00 PM, Friday, Dec. 21, firefighters and paramedics from Berwyn Heights/Greenbelt, MD. and surrounding communities were alerted for an apartment building fire.
Fire/EMS units arrived quickly at 9336 Edmonston Road in the Springhill Lake Apartment Complex and encountered a 3-story garden style apartment building with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the building.
Firefighters stretched hoselines and initiated an aggressive interior attack on the fire and a simultaneous search and rescue for possible trapped occupants.
The fire appears to have started in a ground-floor unit and extended rapidly through the upper floors and eventually through the roof. Second and third alarms were sounded dispatching 75 firefighters and paramedics to the scene. It required 45 minutes to knock the bulk of the fire down.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation and preliminary fire loss is estimated at $500,000. An adjacent building at 9338 Edmonston Road sustained significant damage as well. Displacement of 21 apartment units occupied by 60 residents is necessary. The Fire/EMS Departments Citizens Services Unit, Red Cross and apartment complex management are working with the residents to ensure temporary shelter and relief.
The Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire/EMS Department 814 will conduct a donation effort to support the displaced residents. Donations of "gift cards" from stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are being requested and will be collected and distributed by the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire/EMS Department. Firefighters will provide the "gift cards" to the displaced residents on Christmas Eve in an effort to provide as joyous a holiday as possible. Donated "gift cards" can be dropped off at the Berwyn Heights Fire/EMS Department at 8811 60TH Avenue or call 301-883-7714 and make arrangements for a pick-up of your donated "gift cards".
