July 18th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
Occupants of a College Park home are fortunate to have escaped their burning home early this morning. Just before 2:00 am, Monday, July 18, 2016, a fire of undetermined nature occurred in a home in the 7500 block of Edmonston Road. The home occupants, an adult and a child, were not provided an early warning from a working smoke alarm and had to rush out through the heat and smoke. The adult was treated for smoke inhalation on the scene but refused transport to a hospital. The American Red Cross of the National Capital Region assisted the displaced residents.
Firefighters from the Berwyn Heights Fire/EMS Station were the first to arrive and advised of smoke showing from the front. A fire was quickly found and extinguished in the front living area of the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire loss is estimated at $20,000.
Having a working smoke alarm can be the difference between surviving or dying in a home fire. Having a working smoke alarm increases your chances of survival by 50%. Combine a working smoke alarm with a planned and practiced home escape increases your chances even more.
It’s a law we can live. County Law currently calls for a smoke alarm on every level of your home, primarily just outside of sleeping areas. If you have a fireplace, natural gas service and/or an attached garage, you must also have a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm as well. The law will also soon take effect that will require all alarms to be a 10-year, tamper proof, alarm available at all home improvement stores.
The Fire/EMS Department recommends that you sleep with your door closed and a working smoke alarm installed in each bedroom.
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department has a smoke alarm program that allows homeowners that cannot afford to purchase their own to call and request a smoke alarm to be installed in their home by a firefighter, free of charge. Simply call 311 and ask about our free smoke alarm program.
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