By Raul Rivero
WUSA9
SUITLAND, Md. — One 27-year-old man was found dead in his apartment and at least 24 families were displaced after a 3-alarm fire blazed through two apartment buildings in Suitland, MD.
Prince George’s County fire officials say the fire broke out about 4:30 AM at 3362 Curtis Drive. Officials say fire was well advanced by the time firefighters arrived and extended through the upper floors and eventually through the roof.
According to firefighters and witnesses residents were blocked from escaping via the center stairwell due to the intense heat and thick smoke and they retreated to their balconies. Numerous rescues of those residents were made by firefighters from all floors using ground ladders.
The fire also extended into an attached apartment building at 3364 Curtis Drive. Personnel were forced to evacuate the building for safety reasons as conditions continued to rapidly deteriorate.
Fire Department spokesperson Mark Brady says 2 civilians and 1 firefighter sustained minor injuries and were transported to area hospitals. About 100 firefighter and paramedics were on the scene.
Bray says the 24 families displaced are being helped by the Prince George’s County Departments Citizen Services Unit and Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and fire loss is still being tabulated.
Republished with permission from WUSA9.