Overheated Laptop Causes Apartment Fire That Displaced 8 Families

SILVER SPRING, MD — An overheated laptop was the cause of an apartment fire that displaced 25 people in Silver Spring this weekend, officials said.

Firefighters were called to the two-alarm fire at 537 Thayer Ave. just after midnight Saturday. Officials discovered the laptop caused a bed to catch on fire in an apartment on the second floor.

Firefighters assisted with several rescues, spokesperson Pete Piringer said. One resident was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and is expected to recover.

The Red Cross volunteers were also on the scene and assisted eight displaced families.

The estimated damage is $550,000.

Photos via Pete Piringer