Report: No working smoke alarms, lack of sprinklers factored into deadly Silver Spring high-rise fire

SILVER SPRING, Md. — An investigation into the fire at the Arrive high-rise apartments in Silver Spring ruled that the absence of working smoke alarms and lack of a sprinkler system were factors in the extent of the deadly Feb.18 blaze. 

The report released by Montgomery County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit (FEI) Wednesday does not rule out an electrical malfunction or smoking cigarettes inside the unit as possible causes for the blaze. Due to the multiple factors the fire was classified as "undetermined."

Crews responded to the Arrive Silver Spring Apartments, located at 8750 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, around 6 a.m. Initial calls reported smoke and fire on the seventh floor of the 14-story building.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials had previously announced that the apartment complex fire that killed 25-year-old Melanie Diaz and sent more than a dozen others to the hospital was accidental and that the flames had originated in the living room of a seventh floor unit. The new 10-page report based on witness testimonies and an examination of the scene states that the fire started in an area surrounding a recliner, end table and sofa where there were several electrical items charging inside the unit. 

Investigators found remnants of a severely damaged smoke alarm near the ignition area and they, "do not believe it was in working order due to witness statements" according to the report.

The tenant that rented the apartment where the fire originated told officials that he had never had electrical issues with the items that were charging, but that he had previous problems with the washer, dryer and refrigerator tripping the electrical breakers. According to the tenant, the last occurrence had happened two days prior to the fire. He also told FEI officials that the microwave inside his kitchen "sparked" the previous night before he went to bed. 

According to the report, the tenant and his friend, who was staying with him, had stepped out of the apartment and left the lights on. Upon their arrival the men noticed the lights were off and not working. They also noticed the unit was hot and smoky, according to their testimony. 

Before leaving the apartment, the men told officers that at least one of them smoked a cigarette in the kitchen using the sink as an ash tray, the report says. 

The two men attempted to put out the fire on their own using multiple fire extinguishers, which delayed reporting the blaze. 

"A delay in reporting the fire as the occupants attempted to extinguish it, no working smoke alarms, and no sprinkler system were also factors in the extent of the fire," the report says. 

Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci told WUSA9 the day after the fire, that the deadly blaze could have been prevented if the units were equipped with a sprinkler system. 

"We would not have had any of the deaths, we would not have had any of the injuries and had all of these folks displaced from their units," Geraci said.

The FEI estimates $1 million in damages.