Families Displaced After 3-Alarm Apartment Fire In Suitland | News

SUITLAND, Md. (WUSA) -- Thirty one people are without a home Wednesday night after an apartment fire in Suitland on Wednesday morning. 

Fire spokesperson Mark Brady says 90 firefighter/medics were at the scene of a three-alarm fire at 5621 Regency Park Ct. When firefighters first arrived, heavy fire was showing from the back of the building. More firefighters were called in to bring the fire under control, which happened in about 45 minutes.

A family of four on a top balcony was rescued using a ladder truck. Brady says the family retreated to their balcony after encountering intense heat and smoke while trying to use the center stairwell. Brady said that the fire was actually leapfrogging from balcony to balcony before it reached the roof.

One firefighter was injured, but did not seek medical attention.

Brady says that 14 apartment units were declared uninhabitable. In total, 31 residents -- including 11 children -- have been displaced and the Red Cross is helping residents who need temporary housing.

Officials say the fire appears to have started in a terrace level apartment of the three-story building.

Brady says the preliminary damage estimate is $250,000.