ATF Now Offering $5,000 Reward in Riverdale Arson Case

Seven firefighters were injured as a result of the February attack.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the Riverdale Heights arson attack that injured seven firefighters in February. On the night of Feb. 24, units responded to a report of heavy flames at 6404 57th Ave. As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze from inside, a gust of wind swept through the structure, creating "fireball-like conditions." Seven members of the Riverdale Fire Department and Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department were transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center with burns, fractures, and other injuries. Two remained there for an extended period of time, the last of whom—Bladensburg Sgt. Kevin O'Toole—was finally…

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Family Displaced After Fire On Tuckerman Street

The Red Cross was on scene to help the family find shelter.

A family was displaced Apr. 21 after a fire from a shed spread through their house around 2 p.m., according to Prince George's Fire Department Spokesman Mark Brady. There were no injuries in the fire at 2000 Tuckerman Street, but the damages were extensive enough that the Red Cross was on the scene to help the family find temporary shelter, Brady said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and monetary damages have not yet been calculated.

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Firefighters Douse Blaze at Home on 39th Avenue

Firefighters are still on scene at a house fire on the 6000 block of 39th Avenue, but the fire is out.

The windows are busted. The furniture is charred. But the fire is out at 6006 39th Avenue in Hyattsville. According to Prince George's County Fire Spokesman Mark Brady, county firefighters responded to the scene around 6:20 p.m. where they found a blaze on the first floor of a 1.5-story single family home. They contained the blaze and are currently on scene cleaning up. There were no injuries Brady said, and they are currently investigating the cause. The homeowner declined to comment.

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Flames Rip Through Attic of Adelphi Road Home [Update]

A passing good Samaritan alerted the homeowners to heavy smoke coming from their attic and called 911.

Update 4:03 p.m.: Two Hyattsville residents have been displaced after fire ripped through their attic earlier this afternoon at 7108 Adelphi Rd. Ronald James, who has lived at the house for almost 12 years, said that he was sitting on the couch in his living room when someone knocked on his door and told him that his roof was on fire.  "Bless her heart," said James as investigators searched for the cause of the blaze. "She had already called 911 and then just took her car and got out of the way. My mind was racing at that point and I didn't even think to ask her name." As of yet, James says he has no idea how the fire started, but he's glad there's not more damage.  "It started in the attic and stayed in the attic," said James.  Despite …

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Sarah Wayland

8:00 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012

I'm so glad the good samaritan came by! Fires can be so devastating, but less so when caught early....   more ›

Find Out How Hyattsville's Heroes Rush into Blazes

A new obstacle course is opening up to show residents how firefighters get the job done in Hyattsville.

Hero Rush, the dynamic new firefighter-themed obstacle race and experience co-founded by Hyattsville’s “Bravest,” has opened registration for 12 U.S. events. The obstacle course was designed for mainstream consumers and challenges participants to experience what firefighters face every day. “Runners will tackle a 5K-plus course studded with 15 to 17 obstacles that simulate real emergencies,” said Dave J. Iannone, Hero Rush co-founder and Hyattsville firefighter. “They’ll crawl through a smoke-filled maze, scale steep roofs, drag a massive fire hose to the blaze, climb ladders and bust through windows to find victims trapped inside – and a few surprises, too.” Events are currently scheduled for Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan, North Texas, …

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Hyattsville Heroes Bowl

The Hyattsville police and fire departments competed in a game of flag football, marking the start of a new annual tradition.

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Hyattsville's 'Bravest' Sweeps 'Finest' in Heroes' Bowl

The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department beat the Hyattsville Police Department in a game of flag football Saturday.

Did you go to the game? Share the highlights (and lowlights) and your photos of the game here. Patch is about to serve you up a video of some of the event, including interviews with some of the players. Check back Monday morning for the clips.

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Donations Collected for Family Decimated by Lewisdale House Fire

Some Hyattsville firefighters helped combat the blaze.

The Lewisdale/Hyattsville community is wrapping its collective arms around a family devastated during a Sunday morning house fire that claimed three lives. A report by ABC7 states that a memorial fund has been set up for the Munroe family after flames overtook their Lewisdale home, ending the lives of six-year-old Omari Noel, his mother and aunt. Members of the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department assisted in combating the blaze and returned to the neighborhood to help remind the community about the need for smoke detectors. Officials believe the fire was started by an overloaded electrical strip in the house. They could not find a smoke detector inside, reports stated.

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'Hyattsville's Finest' Take On 'Hyattsville's Bravest' in Flag Football Game

The game benefits the Sonny Frazier Toy Drive.

Are you ready for some football, Hyattsville style? The first annual Hyattsville Heroes Bowl kicks off at 3 p.m. at Magruder Park with the city police and the fire department volunteers squaring off after years of upping the ante. “We’ve been talking for years about who would win,” said Cpl. Patrick O’Hagan, president of the Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police. Word has it at least one city councilman will be making a cameo on the field. The game benefits the Sonny Frazier Toy Drive, a Christmas toy collection/donation named for the late Sonny Frazier, who started the effort to make sure Hyattsville children had toys under the Christmas tree. All who attend the flag football game are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or small cash donation…

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