Large HVAC unit on fire at Bethesda high-rise
(Montgomery County Fire Rescue Services PIO photo)
Khalida Volou, WUSA9 with permission
BETHESDA, Maryland (WUSA9) – The smoke from a large apartment complex fire was seen in the skies of Rockville Tuesday afternoon, Montgomery County Fire Department said.
The fire happened just before noon at The Monterey Apartments, a 15-story high-rise apartment complex, located near Rockville Pike at the corner of Towne Road and Montrose Road on Maryland Route 355 in Bethesda, officials said.
Prearrival pic from Montrose – fire appears to be from HVAC units on the roof, no reported exposure into building, no injuries reported pic.twitter.com/suTPhoyGXv
— Alan Butsch / MCFRS PIO 12 (@AlanMcfrs) April 27, 2021
About 75 firefighters and 30 fire units were called to the scene to battle the 2-alarm fire.
According to Montgomery County Fire Public Information Officer Pete Piringer, there were crews on the roof working on the apartment complex’s HVAC. He said the fire was reported on a large HVAC unit.
Update – (initial dispatch slightly before noon) Monterey Apt – 5901 Montrose – residential building at corner of Towne Rd, near Montrose Rd, and RT 355, 2-Alarm ~75 @mcfrs FFs on scene @AlanMcfrs @MCFRS_Oscar https://t.co/QLV7pzGMHB
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 27, 2021
It still remains unclear what caused the fire at the residential building.
At this time, it is unknown if anyone was injured due to the fire emergency.
Montgomery County Fire Department is investigating the circumstances.
People passing through the area of the flames reported seeing large pockets of smoke in the skies as the residential building engulfed in flames.
