PGFD Looks for Cause of Fatal Mount Rainier Fire

Investigators with the Prince George's County Fire Department (PGFD) are trying to discover what started a fatal house fire in Mount Rainier on Tuesday, according to the PGFD blog. 

The fire claimed the life of a 70-year-old man, who was found unconscious and suffering from severe burn injuries over most of his body.

Firefighters were first called to the scene, the 3700 block of 36th Street, at about 9:45 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a three-story single family home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the top floor and reports of a person trapped inside. Fire fighters made their way to the top floor and quickly extinguished the fire when they discovered the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. 

"Two other occupants of the home were on a lower floor when they heard a smoke alarm sounding from the top floor," reads the PGFD blog. "They were able to escape unharmed."

Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. One sustained second degree burns on his upper body and was transported to the burn unit at the Washington Hospital Center. The second firefighter injured his knee when a ladder gave out from underneath him. Both were treated and released. 

According to the PGFD blog, the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit and the City of Mount Rainier Police Department will be assisting with the investigation until a cause of origin and autopsy are complete.