News Releases

Silver Spring Apartment Fire Death Investigation

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is conducting a death investigation following a fatal fire that occurred at an apartment building in the 8700 block of Arliss Street in Silver Spring last night.  The search for possible victims is continuing, but at this time, Fire & Rescue personnel have located two people deceased within the apartment building.

On Wednesday, August 10 at approximately 11:52 p.m., an off-duty Montgomery County Police officer was in the area of the Flower Branch apartment buildings in the 8700 block of Arliss Street and heard sounds that caused him to investigate.  The officer observed an apartment fire and building collapse.  He immediately notified the Emergency Communications Center (911) via his police radio and along with other Montgomery County Police Officers and Takoma Park Police officers, began to assist residents who were escaping from the area of the building.  Soon after, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue personnel arrived at the scene and assisted in life-saving procedures and began their firefighting efforts.

Approximately 34 injured persons were transported to local hospitals for treatment.   Among the injured were three firefighters, who were treated and have since been released from the hospital.

Fire & Rescue personnel have begun to conduct a search of the involved building.  At this time, two people have been located deceased within the building and the MCPD has begun a death investigation.  Police investigators have not yet identified these two victims.

The joint investigation between the MCPD, the Department of Fire and Rescue Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is ongoing and the possible cause/causes of this fire are still under investigation.

Officers are in the process of identifying and locating all residents of the building.  There are residents who were believed to have been in the apartment building last night who are unaccounted for at this time.  Police investigators are asking people who have information about a resident of the affected building who they have been unable to reach to immediately call Montgomery County's 311 telephone line (240-777-0311 if outside of the County).  Also, anyone who has information believed to be pertinent to the investigation should call 3-1-1.  The 311 line will collect that information and disseminate it to the investigators.

RLI

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Release ID: 16-198
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: death-investigation