Man, Pet Dog Die After House Fire in Potomac

Updated (3:20 p.m.): In a statement Tuesday, Montgomery County Police said detectives are conducting a death investigation and that no foul play is suspected in Ragheb Abou Zeineddine’s death.

Original (10:50 a.m.): A man and his dog died in a Potomac house fire on Monday, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer said.

Via MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

Ragheb Abou Zeineddine, 75, was unable to self-evacuate and was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Piringer wrote on Twitter.

MCFRS responded Monday afternoon to a house fire at 1401 Kersey Lane and found Zeineddine unconscious on the second floor. Piringer said he likely died from smoke inhalation. Zeineddine was the only person home; a family pet dog also died.

The smoke alarms in the home were functional, Piringer said.

The area of origin is narrowed down to a basement wall, he said. An electrical outlet is the most likely source, however there are other potential ignition sources. Damage is estimated to be around $210,000.

Update – 1401 Kersey La, Along w/ Mr Zeineddine, a pet dog also died; Damage, ~$210K; Area of fire origin was narrowed down to the basement wall (multiple potential electrical ignition sources) an electrical outlet is most probable source of ignition. Smoke alarms were functional https://t.co/cOaoYYJJRg pic.twitter.com/AVDckcI4ur

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 18, 2021

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

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