Elderly Woman Rescued from House Fire

Montgomery County firefighters rescued a 90-year-old woman from a house fire today in the 7700 Glenmore Springs Way in Bethesda.

According to fire officials, the call was dispatched at 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 31 . A smoke alarm alerted the family to the fire.

When firefighters arrived, heavy fire was showing from the garage of the single-family, ranch-style home.

When firefighters discovered that one of the occupants was still in the house, they searched the home and rescued the woman from a back bedroom. She was treated on the scene and transported to a local hospital, according to fire rescue officials. Her injuries are not life threatening, fire-rescue officials said.

Fire investigators have determined that the fire caused $200,000 in damage to the structure and contents of the house. Investigators said the blaze originated in or around an oil filled space heater that was plugged into an extension cord in the garage.  There were no vehicles parked in the garage.

The cause of the fire is listed as undetermined with a possible cause as a failure of the electrical extension cord or the heater. Three adults have been displaced from their home because of the fire.

Firefighters said a working smoke alarm, along with alert neighbors, were a life-saving combination.

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