Firefighters Install Alarms After Rockville Blaze Displaces 75

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Firefighters returned to the neighborhood of Friday's three-alarm fire to install smoke alarms house by house and discuss safety with residents.

About 75 people were displaced by a huge fire at Fireside Apartments at 735 Monroe St. at about 1:30 p.m. Friday.

There were "miraculously no injuries reported," spokesperson Pete Piringer said. Firefighters helped about a dozen people and six dogs out of the apartment.

On Saturday, firefighters returned to the neighborhood for "After-the-Fire," as part of Montgomery County's "Safety in Our Neighborhood" initiative. Firefighters contacted about 250 homes, checked 150 smoke alarms and installed about two dozen smoke alarms, Piringer said.

>> See Related: 75 People Displaced After 3-Alarm Rockville Apartment Fire

Firefighters made sure residents understand Maryland's New Smoke Alarm Law and what they need to do to ensure their alarms are up-to-date. The new law states:

• All smoke alarms, regardless of whether they are battery-only or hard-wired, must be replaced every ten years from the date of manufacturer printed on the back of the alarm.
• All battery-only smoke alarms must be replaced with ten-year, sealed, long-life battery-powered smoke alarms with a silence/hush feature. These battery-only smoke alarms are the primary target of Maryland's new law and are the type of alarms typically found in older (pre-1975) homes.

Friday's fire saw heavy flames showing from the second and third floor of one of the buildings at the complex Friday. The 20-30 mph winds quickly spread the fire to the adjoining buildings, affecting about 30 apartments.

Everyone in all three buildings were displaced, Piringer said, and Red Cross opened a shelter near Richard Montgomery High School.

About 125 firefighters battled the blaze in what felt like 10-degree weather.

Photos via Pete Piringer