Arson Fire in 11-Story College Park High
Rise Apartment Building
A 2-alarm fire forced the evacuation
of an 11-story high-rise apartment building early this
morning. A
fire erupted in an apartment on the third floor of 9314
Cherry Hill Road, Seven Springs Apartment Complex, in
College Park.
Early this morning, the Prince George’s County
Police Department had been called to a third-floor
apartment for a possible domestic fight.
While attempting to make contact with the
occupants, the police encountered smoke coming from the
apartment and notified the Fire/EMS Department.
Firefighters and paramedics were alerted to the
fire at about 4:00 AM and arrived in quick fashion to
find heavy fire and smoke issuing from the third floor
apartment, a second-alarm was sounded bringing 75
firefighters, paramedics, command officers and support
personnel to the scene.
An “EMS Task Force” was also sounded sending
additional ambulances and paramedics.
It required about 1 hour to extinguish the fire.
A total of 25 apartments are uninhabitable due to fire,
smoke and water damage.
A total of 75 occupants are displaced; they are
being assisted by apartment management, The County
Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross.
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Arson
Investigators have listed the cause of this fire as
“Arson” and are working jointly with the County Police
Department on suspect information and possible charges.
An adult male is currently being held for
questioning.
Fire loss is estimated at $300,000.
A total of three patients were transported to
area hospitals including a firefighter that sustained
burns; he was treated and released from the Burn Center.
An adult female from the apartment of origin was
transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening
injuries and a 10th floor occupant, adult
male, was transported to an area hospital for a
check-up.