A fire at an apartment in downtown Silver Spring early Friday morning may have been caused by a motorized wheelchair malfunction, according to fire officials.
Firefighters responded to a fire just after 12:30 a.m. Friday at Alexander House Apartments in the 8500 block of 2nd Ave., according to county Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. The apartment occupant was found in a wheelchair and suffering from significant burns. Their injuries were life-threatening and they were transported to a burn center for treatment.
Piringer said that the person was in their 70s and in critical condition.
It is believed that the fire originated under the wheelchair’s seat; the wheelchair’s batteries and drive motor were severely damaged. Hazardous materials crews examined the batteries and found that they were not lithium-ion batteries.
An additional individual was transported to the hospital due to a medical emergency but unrelated to the fire. Sprinklers were activated and controlled the fire, and the fire caused approximately $50,000 worth of damages, according to Piringer.
Photo: Pete Piringer / Twitter
Alexander House, Silver Spring, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 2 patients, incl 1 adult from fire apartment, Pri1 w/ life threatening injuries & 1 adult unrelated to fire w/ medical emergency. Cause of fire under investigation, Damage ~$50K to contents, sprinkler activation https://t.co/FylxiqFUWx pic.twitter.com/Outyp1WJyw
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 4, 2023
Update – 2nd Av; 2nd flr; activated sprinkler; lone occupant located in motorized wheelchair, fire originated under seat of wheelchair (batteries & drive motor were severly damaged); Cause listed as accidental in nature, unknown malfunction or failure of motorized wheelchair.
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 4, 2023
More – Alexander House, occupant of apt found in wheelchair received significant burns & was transported Pri1, w/ LT injuries, to Burn Center, adult patient (in 70s) is listed in critical condition, Note: HazMat checked batteries on wheelchair, advised they were NOT Lithium Ion.
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 4, 2023