A strip mall in Rockville, Maryland, caught fire Thursday, engulfing an auto body shop, a laundromat and several parked vehicles.
The fire was reported at around 5:20 a.m., according to a post from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Public Information Officer Pete Piringer on X. The blaze was declared a two-alarm fire at 6:11 a.m.
In subsequent posts on X, Mr. Piringer noted no injuries occurred but that significant structural damage hit Soto-Leeson Linen & Laundry Services and Motor Works. Several parked cars also burned.
The fire was extinguished by 8:32 a.m. Fire officials are calling it an accident.
“[It] appears as though fire had burned for a while before discovery,” Mr. Piringer wrote.
He also posted a video of firefighters battling the blaze.
ICYMI (~515a) 600blk Lofstrand Lane, Rockville, commercial building(s), Soto Leeson Laundry Service, Motor Work, Inc, 2-Alarm, fire under control, still working some hotspots, significant damage, no injuries, (it appears, as though fire had burned for a while before discovery) pic.twitter.com/siRm4Bg4mh
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) November 2, 2023
Around 95 firefighters responded to the scene, according to the MoCoShow local news and podcast website.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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