Thursday an overnight house fire in Germantown displaced a family of six. There were no injuries reported.
The fire in the 20400 block of Bargene Way apparently began around 2:30 a.m. in the attached garage of the two-story home, according to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services. The fire then spread into the home, he posted on social media.
While the smoke alarm was working, “Unfortunately, residents ignored several earlier smoke alarm activations,” Piringer noted. He explained that someone was cooking at the time and reset the alarms each time. When that person noticed smoke coming through the wall near the garage, they called 911.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. But it is suspected of starting from improperly discarded smoking materials in the garage, according to Piringer. He cited two ignition sources – an electric heater and a plastic trash container used for discarding smoking materials.
Damage is estimated at about $75,000.
(~230a) 20400blk Bargene Way, Germantown, 2-sty single family house, fire in attached garage; Origin/Cause, accidental/undetermined, garage wall adjacent to living room (2 ignition sources were ID’d) electric heater & plastic trash container used for discarding smoking materials pic.twitter.com/oxinZZFfoB
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 17, 2025
Update – Bargene Way, Germantown, fire is extinguished, likely started in garage & spread, everybody got out, (adults & / child displaced, no injuries, ~55 @mcfrs FFs on scene pic.twitter.com/p7yZHlRdND
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 17, 2025
