Neighbor Rescues Toddlers, Grandparents From Townhouse Fire

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Twin toddlers and their grandparents were rescued by a neighbor in Gaithersburg Saturday night after a fire erupted in a townhouse on Sterling Terrace.

Montgomery County Fire spokesman Pete Piringer said about 85 firefighters were called to the scene around 11:20 p.m., where they encountered "heavy fire" coming from the garage. A neighbor had rescued the two 18-month-old children and their grandparents before help arrived.

"(The neighbor) not only reported the fire but alerted the four occupants inside," Piringer said. "This was equivalent to a second-alarm fire ... (and) thanks to the intervention of this neighbor, whose efforts were nothing short of heroic, the family did get out and there were no injuries," Piringer said.

The two-alarm fire, which began in the garage and spread to the attic, was likely caused by an electrical malfunction, he added. The damage is estimated at $2.2 million.

ICYMI (1120p 1/23) Sterling Ter, Gburg, NOTE: everybody got out prior to the arrival of firefighters thanks in part to a neighbor assisting & rescuing 1 of the young children who was initially inside while others got out, BTW no injuries & several families will be displaced https://t.co/ge80lmqQYJ pic.twitter.com/vRwfHox3lq
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 24, 2021