BOYDS, Md. — Firefighters in Montgomery County responded early Monday morning to a deadly house fire in the rural community of Boyd.
One woman was killed, according to Montgomery County fire officials on Tuesday night.
In a brief statement on social media spokesperson Pete Piringer said Tuesday the fire was accidental but still under investigation.
Neighbors called firefighters to report heavy smoke coming from the single-family home located Whites Ferry Road near Sugarland Road between Darnestown and Poolesville just after midnight, according to fire department spokesperson Pete Piringer.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they saw smoke and flames coming from the house. Neighbors in the area said they believed someone was still inside the home. While crews moved inside to try to rescue the person inside, Piringer said they were challenged by what he called "excessive storage and clutter."
Despite those challenging conditions, crews were able to bring the flames under control and rescue a dog. However, a search of the two-story home located a body on the second floor. That person, who has not yet been identified by investigators, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Piringer said this fire is the fourth deadly fire of the year in Montgomery County. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Nearby roads were closed while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, but have since reopened, according to Piringer. Drivers should use caution as water from the firefighter efforts may cause icy conditions.
No firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. Crews were able rescue a dog from the home.
It is not clear whether the home had working smoke alarms.
The fire apparently started on the first floor where Piringer said "multiple competent ignition sources" caused a fire that trapped the victim on the second floor.
A dog inside the house was able to escape the fire.