County firefighters rescued a dog and two parakeets Saturday from a Gaithersburg apartment after a webcam alerted the tenant, who was away from the home, about a fire in the kitchen, according to authorities.
Around 6:50 p.m., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) crews responded to the apartment at 15 Prism Place for a report of a fire in a kitchen, MCFRS Assistant Chief Public Information Officer Dan Ogren told MoCo360 Monday.
Ogren said the fire started on the kitchen stovetop likely from an unattended pot on a burner, but did not spread to other areas of the kitchen or the apartment.
MCFRS Assistant Chief Public Information Officer David Pazos wrote on social media Saturday that the fire extended slightly beyond the stove.
The resident of the apartment was at work when the fire occurred and was alerted of the fire by a webcam in the home, Pazos said.
Upon arrival, crews forced entry into the apartment, extinguished the fire and rescued the dog, Lady, and two parakeets from a “smoke filled” apartment, Pazos said.
No injuries or displacements were reported. Pazos said the building management was assisting the resident with fixing the apartment door that was forced open by MCFRS crews.
Ogren said the fire caused minimal damage to the apartment. “It doesn’t look like there was any extension besides the cooking surface, so not a big fire,” he said.
After rescuing the animals, MCFRS crews waited with the pets until the resident of the apartment returned from work, according to Pazos on social media.
“@MCFRS is dedicated to protecting all lives and property, including animals,” Pazos said.