Montgomery County Police arrived on the scene first and reported a fire and one adult male with severe burns.  Engine 726 arrived on the scene and confirmed significant fire coming from several windows in an end of the row, two-story townhouse and requested a 2nd alarm.  A fire attack was initiated from the exterior to dampen down some of the fire which then allowed for a transition to an interior attack to extinguish the fire.  The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished. 

 

The 73 year old male occupant of this address was located in a neighbor's townhouse with significant second and third degree burns over approximately thirty percent of his body.  He stated that he was awakened by the smoke alarm and observed fire in the front of the house.  He then attempted to extinguish the fire but could not. 

 

The occupant was transported Priority 1 to a local burn center with critical and potentially life threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition at the time of this writing. 

 

Approximately 75 fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene.  In addition, Medical Ambulance Bus 726 (MAB) was on scene for shelter and rehab due to the extreme cold.

 

The origin and cause investigation determined the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical failure or malfunction in a floor outlet. Damages were estimated at $350,000 to the structure and $100,000 to the contents of the home.  Two cats are also unaccounted for.

 

Firefighters will be returning to the neighborhood later this afternoon at approximately 4 p.m. to hand out safety information as well as offer to check smoke alarms to insure they are working.

 

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