GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Two people trapped by the flames of a two-alarm townhouse fire in Gaithersburg were forced to an act of desperation: a leap from a 2nd floor window to escape to safety.
Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, says the trapped occupants who jumped to escape the flames were both evaluated by medics at the scene of the two-alarm fire that broke out in an end-of-row townhome in the 9200 block of Oriole Place in Gaithersburg shortly before 5:00 a.m. Thursday.
According to Tweets from Piringer, firefighters encountered heavy fire through the roof of the home when they arrived on the scene. Additional EMS units were requested, and a second alarm was requested.
EMS units transported the two victims to the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit, however their injuries are considered non-life-threatening. A firefighter is also being evaluated at the scene for an unknown injury.
The structure partially collapsed during the firefight, which involved approximately 90 firefighters. Piringer reported that the fire was under control, and crews were checking surrounding units for extension of fire damage to nearby units.
Officials also said that a cat was missing.
