Rockville apartment fire damages seven units

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Twelve people and several pets are displaced after an apartment fire damaged seven units in a Montgomery County building.

The fire department was called on Sunday to the Bethesda Park Apartments at 5100 Crossfield Court in Rockville. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Pete Piringer said fire was found between the walls of multiple second-floor apartments in the three-story building. Smoke detectors were activated and everyone in the building evacuated. No one was hurt.

Approximately 65 firefighters responded to the fire and it was put out within 25 minutes of crews arriving. The fire likely started in the kitchen of one second-floor apartment near or on a stovetop, and extended to the walls. Piringer said the damage is estimated to cost more than $100,000.

Photos shared by the fire department show the walls of one apartment destroyed above and to the side of a stove. Additional photos show the ceiling with extensive damage as well.