A man has died from injuries sustained in a house fire that broke out in the basement of his Kensington home, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) said.
Firefighters responded around 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, to a fire in the 500 block of Aurora Drive near Stillwater Avenue after neighbors reported the blaze, according to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the basement, with reports of a resident trapped inside.
A team of 65 firefighters worked to control the fire and located an unconscious adult in the basement.
The victim was rescued and transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, Piringer said.
A second occupant was also evacuated and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while a third person managed to escape on their own.
Firefighters also rescued several dogs from the home.
The fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damages, according to Piringer.
While the exact cause remains under investigation, officials believe the fire originated in the basement.
Potential factors include smoking materials, electrical equipment, or a space heater, Piringer said. He also noted that the home did not have a working smoke alarm.
Authorities have not yet provided an update on the condition of the second injured occupant.
Photo courtesy MCFRS
3/1 Update – Aurora Dr, house fire, Sadly, adult male rescued by @mcfrs died at the hospital last night; Origin/Cause, basement, accidental (variety of ignition sources, incl smoking materials, numerous electrical items, space heater, all possible) Damage >$150K; NO smoke alarm pic.twitter.com/YVJNfvoCSB
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 1, 2025
