Firefighters from Berwyn Heights, Greenbelt, College Park and surrounding communities responded to a 911 call reporting an apartment on fire in the Spring Hill Lake Apartment Complex in Greenbelt.
Fire/EMS units were alerted at about 7:15 PM, Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Upon arrival at 9113 Springhill Lane firefighters encountered a 3-story, non-sprinklered, garden style apartment building with a first floor unit consumed with heavy fire. A 2ND alarm was sounded bringing a total of 60 firefighters/medics to the scene.
The fire extended to the second and third floors and was about to extend into the roof when firefighters aggressively attacked the fire. The interior attack resulted in the fire being contained and extinguished within 20 minutes.
Fortunately, there were no civilian or Departmental injuries reported. A total of 11 apartment units are uninhabitable and 19 residents are displaced. The displaced residents are being assisted by the apartment complex management with temporary shelter until other arrangements can be made.
Fire Investigators determined that an 8-year-old male paying with matches ignited bedding materials. Fire loss is estimated at $100,000. The child will be referred to the Fire/EMS Departments Matchless Opportunities Program, which provides education and intervention for juvenile fire setters. Parents and caregivers that have a child displaying a tendency to play with fire/matches/lighter can seek assistance from the Matchless Opportunities Program by calling 301-306-5685.
Firefighters will be canvassing the Spring Hill Lake Apartment Complex tomorrow offering fire safety and injury prevention materials to residents as part of the Fire/EMS Department's Post Incident Neighborhood Intervention Program.
