Prince Georges’s County Fire Investigators believe a powerful electrical power surge generated multiple fires within the walls and ceilings of three apartment buildings. At about 1:45 PM, Firefighters and Paramedics from District Heights and surrounding communities responded to 5527 Marlboro Pike, a 3-story garden-style apartment building in the Holly Springs Meadows Apartment Complex, arriving quickly to find heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building. Firefighters located fire within the walls and ceilings in not just one building but two attached buildings on multiple floors as well.
A second-alarm was sounded bring nearly 60 firefighters, paramedics and civilian employees to the scene. Firefighters removed the wallboards and ceiling to expose the fire and then quickly extinguished it. Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire before there was significant extension. It required about 45 minutes to completely extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and preliminary fire loss is estimated at $125,000. This total could rise higher as additional damage is discovered during salvage and overhaul.
Fire Investigators believe that high winds caused a piece of gutter to partially break away from the rear of the building. The loose guttering then came into contact with nearby high-voltage power lines causing an electrical surge into the structure. Multiple fires were ignited throughout the buildings. All three attached apartment building, 5527-5529-5531, sustained some type of damage and occupants will be displaced for an unknown period of time from 42 apartments. Apartment complex management is providing shelter to the displaced occupants in a nearby hotel. No injuries were reported.