Squad 1 was dispatched mutual aid to Montgomery County for a reported apartment fire at 9082 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10. Units arrived and encountered quickly-spreading fire conditions in a three-story garden apartment.

The fire, which started in in an air-conditioning unit, quickly spread through the pipe chase to the roof, where it spread in the cockloft to two adjoining buildings.

Losses were estimated in excess of $1 million. At least a dozen families were reportedly displaced and being assisted by county offices and the American Red Cross. Three firefighters were treated and released from Washington Hospital Center's Burn Unit suffering minor burns. A civilian bystander also suffered minor injuries.

A total of three alarms eventually responded to the blaze. The fire took about 40 minutes to bring under control and more than 100 firefighters from both Montgomery and Prince George's County responded.