Dozens of Residents Affected By Gaithersburg Apartment Fire

According to Pete Piringer, the chief spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services, 24 apartment units at the Saybrooke Apartment building on Sunny Brook Terrace in Gaithersburg were affected by a fire Friday.

The initial 911 call came at 1:30 p.m. from a passerby in the “area of mid-county highway and Woodfield Road,” said Piringer.

Update (Video) – @mcfrsPIO Pete Piringer on scene 2-Alarm Residential Apartment Bldg, FFs assisted several residents from bldg, EMS transporting several occupants, all NLT, ~100 FFs on scene pic.twitter.com/9kHkQgzaQ0 — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

When Derwood Fire & Rescue arrived at the scene, Piringer said they called for “a second alarm.” Because of “heavy fire conditions” at the three apartment building, eventually “there were about 100 firefighters on the scene.”

Piringer said, “Firefighters did assist some residents from the building, several of whom have been transported to the hospital with smoke inhalations, others with some minor injuries.”

According to Piringer, as of Friday afternoon, no firefighter has been injured, and none of the injuries residents have to look life-threatening.

However, Piringer said that many of the families living at the Saybrooke Apartment building will be displaced.

“Pretty significant loss as far as damage,” said Piringer.

Piringer said that Red Cross was called to the scene of the incident and that the Gaithersburg fire marshall was also at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Piringer said that it’s been “knocked down.”

Updates:

Since MCM has published this story we’ve learned…

Piringer tweeted, “numerous families will be displaced” — there’s still no definitive number.

Three civilians were transported to the hospital for minor injuries, according to Piringer.

Firefighters also assisted pets from the building. It’s unclear if any pets were injured.

There’s $800,000 worth of damage to the apartment building.

The fire originated on the second-floor balcony of the apartment building.

Piringer tweeted that “improperly discarded smoking materials” caused the fire.

At 8:58 p.m. Friday, Piringer tweeted, “The fire heavily damaged three (3) apt units, while three (3) received considerable water damage, and 18 units are left without water and electricity. This was compounded by the design of water and electricity connection/supplies to the two (2) connected buildings (202 & 204).”

The fire heavily damaged three (3) apt units, while three (3) received considerable water damage, and 18 units are left without water and electricity. This was compounded by the design of water and electricity connection/supplies to the two (2) connected buildings (202 & 204) https://t.co/MgrZaPWIww — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 9, 2019

Update – 204 Sunny Brook Ter, Saybrooke Apartments; Cause, improperly discarded smoking materials; Area of Origin, 2nd floor balcony; Damage $800K; EMS transported 3 civ, NLT; FFs assisted several residents & pets out; 24 Apts were affected & numerous families displaced pic.twitter.com/lTPUUsZPxO — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 9, 2019

This story was updated at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 8. It is still developing.

Images and Video of the Saybrooke Fire

Pete Piringer posted pictures and videos at the scene of the fire on his Twitter. Take a look at the media below.

Initially dispatched ~130p Saybrooke Apartment Homes, 1st 911 call for smoke in area Woodfield Rd & Midcounty Hwy, PE728 (Derwood) arrived w/ heavy fire & smoke showing from 3-sty apartment bldg https://t.co/icEgtf9kRk — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

Update – Sunny Brooke Ter, Saybrooke Apartments, Gaithersburg, @mcfrs 2-Alarm, bulk of fire knocked down, FFs assisted several occupants from bldg, no serious injuries pic.twitter.com/JxniCe2glm — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

Update – Saybrooke Apartment Homes, IAO Woodfield Rd & E more Grove Rd, ~100 FFs on scene pic.twitter.com/qrXPDhPRVS — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

Update – 200blk Sunny Brook Ter, Saybrooke Apts, dozens of people of families from 12 Apts will be displaced, Damage significant, several occupants were injured & transported, FFs rescued 1 dog & assisted several residents from burning bldg pic.twitter.com/9hBlImuMtw — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

UPDATE – @mcfrs Media Hotline 240.777.2442 RE Gaithersburg 2nd Alarm Residential Apartment bldg pic.twitter.com/a81fUiaKnW — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

8400 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring Metro, FFs investigating fire on track — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019

Update – Gaithersburg Apt Fire, 202 & 204 Sunny Brook Ter, dozens of residents affected, 24 apartment units impacted by fire, incl 6 damaged by fire, smoke, water & others by utilities being shut off/controlled pic.twitter.com/dPsLuz7dtf — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2019