Arson Fire In 11 Story College Park High Rise

Photos

Arson Fire In 11 Story College Park High Rise

see larger image

uploaded by FireFightingNews.com

Maryland (More Photos - Click Here) A
2-alarm fire forced the evacuation of an 11-story high-rise apartment
building on November 4, 2006. A fire erupted in an apartment on the
third floor of 9314 Cherry Hill Road, Seven Springs Apartment Complex,
in College Park. Early this morning, the Prince George’s County Police
Department had been called to a third-floor apartment for a possible
domestic fight.

While attempting
to make contact with the occupants, the police encountered smoke coming
from the apartment and notified the Fire/EMS Department. Firefighters
and paramedics were alerted to the fire at about 4:00 AM and arrived in
quick fashion to find heavy fire and smoke issuing from the third floor
apartment, a second-alarm was sounded bringing 75 firefighters,
paramedics, command officers and support personnel to the scene.

An “EMS Task
Force” was also sounded sending additional ambulances and paramedics.
It required about 1 hour to extinguish the fire. A total of 25
apartments are uninhabitable due to fire, smoke and water damage. A
total of 75 occupants are displaced; they are being assisted by
apartment management, The County Office of Emergency Management and the
Red Cross.

Prince George’s
County Fire/EMS Department Arson Investigators have listed the cause of
this fire as “Arson” and are working jointly with the County Police
Department on suspect information and possible charges. An adult male
is currently being held for questioning. Fire loss is estimated at
$300,000. A total of three patients were transported to area hospitals
including a firefighter that sustained burns; he was treated and
released from the Burn Center.

An adult female
from the apartment of origin was transported to an area hospital for
non-life threatening injuries and a 10th floor occupant, adult male,
was transported to an area hospital for a check-up.

Photos by Chief Al Schwartz

Written by Mark E. Brady (PGFD)