Prince George's County fire investigators have blamed a faulty electrical outlet in a second-floor bedroom on a three-alarm fire at the Marlborough House apartments.
And officials said the conditions of the firefighter and two residents who were transported to area hospitals in critical condition have been upgraded to serious.
Firefighters said they got the call about 4 a.m. to come to the Marlboro House Apartment building in the 3000 block of Branch Avenue.
Upon their arrival, firefighters found heavy fire coming from a second-floor apartment of the eight-story building. Prince George's County Fire and Rescue spokesman Mark Brady said firefighters concentrated their efforts on that second-floor apartment and the third-floor unit directly above.
"The fire generated a tremendous amount of smoke that drifted throughout the rest of the building, almost causing a panic among the residents," Brady said.
Brady said two other firefighters were taken to a hospital with minor injuries along with five other residents who suffered asthma attacks and minor aches and pains after a few jumped from their balconies.
Residents of 32 apartments will be displaced because of fire and water damage.
Some residents reportedly stayed in the 700-unit building during the fire and they are being asked to remain where they are and shelter in place.
The other residents were kept in a rear lobby area near a swimming pool, Brady said.
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