On Tuesday around 4:15 pm, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire at 10 Brooks Avenue in Gaithersburg that required approximately 75 firefighters.
The incident began in the basement of the residence, and early indications suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a lithium-ion battery explosion. Despite the challenging circumstances, including extreme heat on the scene, approximately 75 firefighters quickly contained the blaze, and no injuries were reported.
In a subsequent update released Thursday night, MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer provided further details about the incident. Investigators determined that the fire originated in the basement, linked to a power strip supplying electricity to a LiPO battery charger and associated batteries. The damage incurred by the fire is estimated at around $200,000. Although the monitored fire alarm alerted the resident in time, one person was displaced by the incident…