Westwood Tower Apartments. Via MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.
All units within an apartment building in Bethesda have been condemned due to an electrical issue Saturday, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS).
The 15-story Westwood Tower Apartments — with about 200 units — had smoke on multiple floors resulting from an electrical issue, according to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.
He stated the building was evacuated and all residents were relocated as of 8 p.m. Sunday. The repairs begin immediately — Piringer said extensive electrical system repairs are necessary.
The apartments were condemned by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, according to Piringer. He stated there was partial power to the building, and water/heat, but no elevators.
He stated all occupants were welfare-checked and there were no injuries.
Update (Sunday, 1/7) Westwood Tower, 5401 Westbard Rd, Bethesda, 15-sty residential bldg (~200 units), extensive repairs will be necessary to electrical system, @PepcoConnect @MCGMDDHCA @ReadyMontgomery @mcfrs on scene coordinating, all residents being systematically contacted pic.twitter.com/Qu3fBVyX28
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 7, 2024
Update – Westwood Towers, due to electrical utility emergency, ALL apts in the bldg have been ‘condemned’ by DHCA, bldg has been evacuated, at 6p @mcfrs PE729, PE702, PE718, A701, A721 on scene, by 8p ALL residents have been relocated, bldg is secured, repairs begin immediately
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 8, 2024
