Townhouse Fire Deemed Accidental

A Germantown family displaced by the blaze.

A townhouse fire Tuesday that displaced four and caused $15,000 in damage was deemed accidental by fire officials. At around 7 p.m., firefighters responded to the 14900 block of Zinnia Circle in Germantown for reports of a fire and found the blaze in a second floor bedroom, according to Cpt. Oscar Garcia, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service spokesman. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is assisting the family, Garcia said.

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Townhouse Fire Under Investigation

No injuries were reported by fire officials, but the cause and damage are being assessed.

  Fire officials are investigating what caused a fire at a Germantown townhouse Tuesday evening. A small blaze was reported in the second floor of a home in the 19400 block of Zinnia Circle at around 7 p.m., Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Assistant Chief Scott Graham said. It took firefighters about three minutes to extinguish the blaze, according to Graham. There were no reports of injuries, Graham said. Officials are still assessing the damage.

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Townhouse Fire Displaces Residents

Fire early Tuesday caused $15,000 in damage.

Fire officials are still investigating the cause of fire early Tuesday that displaced the residents of a Germantown townhouse and caused $15,000 in damage. About 1 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the 12200 block of Brittania Circle, where smoke could be seen from the roof, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia said. Though the cause had not yet been determined, Garcia said fire officials believe the fire began in a second floor bathroom, then extended into the attic and into the roof. No one was harmed in the blaze. The displaced occupants were staying with friends, according to Garcia.

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Gas Station Fire Under Investigation

Small fire at vacant gas station car wash on Frederick Road caused $6,000 damage

Fire officials are investigating the cause of small fire that caused $6,000 damage at a vacant gas station Tuesday night. At around 9 p.m., fire fighters responded to a gas station in the 19800 block of Frederick Road for reports of smoke, where they found flames inside a car wash portal, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesman Cpt. Oscar Garcia told Patch. Garcia said the blaze was quickly extinguished; no one else appeared to be on the property. No injuries were reported.

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MCFRS Responds to Auto Shop Fire

No injuries were reported in fire Monday night at Germantown Service Center.

Firefighters tended to a blaze Monday at Germantown Service Center, where there were reports of a vehicle spewing smoke from a lift. The call was dispatched at 7 p.m. to 19941 Aircraft Drive, across the street from Germantown Transit Center, where the county’s Ride On buses board passengers, spokesman Cpt. Scott Graham said. No injuries were reported. It took 35 emergency workers about 30 minutes to put out the blaze; a portion of Aircraft Drive was blocked, causing a one-hour traffic delay, Graham said. Investigators were still assessing the cause and amount of damage.

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Updated: Three Juveniles Arrested for Walmart Fire

Fire apparently occurred in men's department Tuesday. No injuries were reported.

(Updated 7:39 p.m.) Charges are pending against three juveniles suspected of setting a fire inside the Walmart at Milestone Shopping Center on Tuesday. Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesman Asst. Chief Scott Graham said it was initially thought the fire may have been caused by an electrical problem due to the smell, but fire officials later suspected three juveniles were responsible after reviewing survelliance footage. Graham said the youths were tracked by security cameras in Walmart's parking lot, which led authorities to a nearby store where they were arrested. Fire officials allege the youths were seen on camera near the fire's origin. The juveniles are accused of setting plastic clothing labels on fire, Graham said. Firefighters …

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GALLERY: GGCC Public Safety Awards

Recognizing those who serve.

The men and women who serve and protect Gaithersburg and Germantown were honored this morning at the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce Public Safety awards ceremony. Each year the chamber hosts a breakfast where police and fire leaders can recognize the exceptional valor, service and bravery within their departments during the prior year. This year's breakfast was held at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center.

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Furnace Malfunction Sparks Smoke Stack at Area Church

Firefighter extinguish smoke stack at Dayspring Silent Retreat Center

Firefighters extinguished a smoke stack at the Dayspring Silent Retreat on 11301 Kneelsville Church Road. They responded to the scene of a reported fire at approximately 4:00 p.m. Smoke was seen coming through the roof of the church. After further investigation, however, firefighters discovered the smoke coming from a faulty furnace, said Montgomery County fire department spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia. No one was injured. 

Editor's Notebook

A New Park for Germantown, a Fire, African Art and So Much More

See a summary new for the week of Oct. 11-15.

We started the week looking back at the festivities at the Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival. If seeing the video makes you wish you were there, don't fret, the festival is going on every weekend in October.  We also reported on the story of Northwest Alum Ike Whitaker's return to the field as assistant coach. We walked the red carpet Monday night to see the homecoming attire of the ladies and gentlemen of Seneca Valley High School. Check out our photos from the event! Later, we heard the fascinating story of local activist Betty Valdes, who will be inducted into the Human Rights Hall of Fame on Oct, 24. In other news, the county council designated the Montgomery Business Development Corporation (BDC)  as the county's business development …

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Fire Department Estimates $10,000 Damages From House Fire

A house fire reported at 4:37 Tuesday afternoon resulted in minor injuries and $10,000 in damages. Fire captain offers advice to residents.

The Montgomery County Fire Department estimates $10,000 in damages as a result of a house fire at a townhouse in Birdseye Court on Tuesday evening. Authorities received reports of a fire in the townhouse at 4:37 p.m. According to Montgomery County Fire Capt. Oscar Garcia, the small fire originated in the basement, within the heating and air conditioning system, and was quickly extinguished by responding crews. The cause, Garcia said, was accidental and, while it is still under investigation, he believes the cause was an "electrical malfunction."  One of the occupants of the house suffered minor hand injuries after attempting to extinguish the fire, Garcia said. The occupant was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Garcia cautions …

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