At about 8:00 PM, Wednesday, December 24, 2008, Firefighters and Paramedics from the Landover Hills Fire/EMS Station and surrounding communities were alerted to a report of a house fire. Additional firefighters from West Lanham Hills, Bladensburg, Riverdale Heights, Riverdale and Kentland arrived quickly and worked together at a 1-½ story duplex at 5128 Flintridge Drive with heavy fire conditions in the basement. The fire had extended to the upper floors before being extinguished. A firefighter from the West Lanham Hills Fire/EMS Station #828 sustained burn injuries and was transported by paramedics to a Burn Unit. The firefighter has been admitted for additional treatment and while his injuries are serious they are considered non-life threatening. Two family pets, both dogs, perished in the fire.
The residents of both sides of the duplex were displaced and assisted by the Fire/EMS Departments Citizens Services Unit and the Red Cross with temporary shelter. Fire Investigators estimated fire loss at $80,000 and have the cause listed as under investigation, however, not suspicious.
