Wind whipped gutter hits power lines and starts fires in multiple apartment buildings
Photos by Mark E. Brady, PGFD
Watch story by 9NEWS NOW reporter Scott Broom
Forty-two apartments in three buildings are unlivable after a series of explosions and fires caused when an aluminum gutter came in contact with power lines.
Fire investigators believe wind blew the gutter off one apartment building and into the lines.
The incident happened at the Holly Springs Meadow apartments at 5531 Marlboro Road in District Heights.
Residents reported explosions at about 1:45 p.m. Monday. It was the sound of powerful electric arcs, according to firefighters.
“There was a huge amount of electricity flowing through these buildings.” said Prince George’s County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady. “We’re very lucky nobody was hurt.”
According to a press release by Brady the “power surge generated multiple fires within the walls and ceilings of three apartment buildings”.
Firefighters needed a second-alarm and about 45 minutes to extinguish the fires. Damage is estimated at $125,000.
(Scott Broom assisted with the above report)
Charring where a natural gas line came in contact with the charged downspout.
