Daily Voice
By Zak Failla From Daily Voice
A Maryland family lost most of their home in minutes after discarded smoking materials sparked a fast-moving garage fire that ripped through the house on Thursday night, according to volunteer fire officials.
The fire was reported shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the 800 block of Copley Avenue in Waldorf, according to Charles County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Multiple 911 callers reported flames shooting from the home. First responders arrived within minutes and confirmed a working garage fire, prompting a working fire dispatch as the blaze spread toward the attic and roofline.
The scene of the Charles County fire.
Firefighters were met with heavy fire in the garage and a rapid push into the attic. As flames tore across the top level of the house, "evacuation tones were sounded to get everyone out safely before crews regrouped and re-entered with additional hose lines."
The scene of the Charles County fire.
Officials said primary and secondary searches confirmed all occupants made it out before firefighters arrived.
Nearly four dozen Fire/EMS personnel brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes, with relief crews rotating in to overhaul hotspots.
The scene of the Charles County fire.
The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal determined that discarded smoking materials in the garage sparked the blaze. Two residents were displaced, and the American Red Cross was requested to assist.
The scene of the Charles County fire.
No injuries were reported. Fire/EMS personnel cleared the scene in just under three hours.
WSAZ NewsChannel 3
Chicago Tribune Crime
Batavia Daily News
Western Mass
WAKA Action 8 News
KY3
KARE 11
LEX 18 News
ABC 7 Aurora
WHNT News 19