Two People Injured at High Rise Fire on Willard Avenue in Chevy Chase

PHOTO | MCFRS

UPDATED Two people were injured in an apartment fire at a high rise apartment building in Chevy Chase on Tuesday evening.

Dozens of Montgomery County firefighters responded to the blaze at the Willard Apartments at 4701 Willard Avenue.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer said the fire originated on the 16th floor of the high rise building.

According to Piringer, hundreds of residents were evacuated and some residents with mobility issues had to be assisted out of the building by firefighters.

A sprinkler system held the fire in check until firefighters could put the blaze out, Piringer said.

The fire originated in the sunroom of a 16th floor apartment and damages are estimated at $25,000, according to Piringer. He said the fire was electrical in nature and the cause was related to an extension cord.

Two residents were transported to a local hospital for exposure to the fire and smoke. Their injuries are not life threatening, Piringer said.

According to Piringer, the fire has displaced six residents from their homes.

8p, 1/12 17-sty Willard Apt, fire 16th fl, 2 civ inj; 6 adults displaced; Cause, elec, extension cord; Damage, >$25K https://t.co/jUSEQleV3R

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

Traffic advisory – Willard Ave remains closed between Wisconsin Avenue and River Road due to fire activity pic.twitter.com/BxxAfJcftd

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

Update 4701 Willard Av, Willard Apt, 2 residents inj (NLT), several others displaced, hallway sprinkler activation pic.twitter.com/zylPDlTFB7

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

More…Willard Apts, hundreds of residents evacuated, fire is out, 2 residents being evaluated by EMS, NLT injuries pic.twitter.com/Tm5tH0MNTp

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

U/D Willard Apts, fire out on 16th floor, some evacuated & others sheltered in place, 2 inj NLT, FFs clearing smoke pic.twitter.com/Xc0eSEffJn

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

4701 Willard AV, Willard Apts, fire on 16th floor, FFs assisting residents/occupants out, addl fire/rescue units are responding

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 13, 2016

About Sonya Burke

Sonya Burke is the Multimedia Manager at Montgomery Community Media (MCM). You can email story ideas at sburke@mymcmedia.org or reach her on Twitter @SonyaNBurke.

View all posts by Sonya Burke