A Christmas tree fire in a Bethesda home on Fleming Avenue on Thursday evening, Dec. 25, injured five people and one dog, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Common causes of Christmas tree fires are significant causes of Christmas tree fires, especially when combined with dry trees that can ignite easily and burn rapidly. The family was displaced and damages are expected to exceed $400,000, and photographs show the charred remnants of the tree and exposed ceiling beams.

Responders arrived to heavy fire through the first floor of the single-family house. “Residents heard a pop and acted before the smoke alarms went off,” Piringer said, describing how occupants reacted in the moments after the ignition. Typical safety guidelines recommend using certified lights and inspecting all decorations to prevent such incidents. Typical safety guidelines for using holiday lights and decorations can prevent dangerous situations like this one.

Piringer said one occupant attempted to fight the flames. “One of the home’s occupants went to get a fire extinguisher, but the flames spread rapidly to a couch and other combustible items,” he said. Fire departments often emphasize that turning off lights when asleep or away can prevent dangerous situations like this one.

Firefighters found a large dog unconscious amid the blaze and resuscitated the animal on scene, an emotional rescue that Piringer highlighted as crews worked to remove occupants and suppress the fire. Safety measures should pet owners take during holiday celebrations, such as securing Christmas trees to prevent tipping and keeping cords out of reach to avoid potential electrical risks, as highlighted in this incident.

Four people were treated for injuries and transported to area hospitals, officials said. Photographs from the scene show extensive damage to the home’s first floor; officials estimate the cost of repairs and losses will top $400,000, and the family was left temporarily displaced.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue led the response, treating victims and extinguishing the blaze at the Fleming Avenue residence. The involvement of holiday lighting and an electrical power strip was cited by officials as the likely ignition source for the tree.

Holiday lighting standards and demonstrations from fire-protection programs examine how damaged lights and overloaded outlets can pose risks in homes; organizations such as ULSE and the University of Maryland’s fire protection engineering program provide guidance and demonstrations on these hazards.

The family’s immediate needs and a timeline for their return to the home have not been detailed by officials. Fire department personnel focused on patient care and fire suppression at the scene on Thursday evening.

Photos released after the incident show a living room gutted by fire, with the skeleton of the tree and blackened structural members visible. The scene underscored the speed at which a holiday decoration fire can spread once combustible materials ignite. Investigators pointed to the tree’s lights and a power strip as the likely source of ignition, and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue continues to document the scene and the damage estimate.

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Original reporting: view the original article.