GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Montgomery County Fire officials say they are investigating four fires that broke out relatively close to each other in the Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village area. Investigators say three of the four fires are being investigated as arson.
Around 1:20 a.m. Thursday, fire personnel responded to the 19500 block of Divot Place, near Club Lake Road in Montgomery Village. Once on scene firefighters found a fence on fire in rear of the location. Officials say the fire was quickly extinguished. This fire is being investigated as arson, investigators said.
Five minutes later, a second fire was reported in the 10000 block of Delcastle Road near Apple Ridge Road. Arriving firefighters found flames coming from the garage of a home there. Officials said two people in the home were not aware of fire, but were able to get out safely without sustaining any injuries.
Around 1:30 a.m. Gaithersburg police responded to the Jewelry Exchange of Maryland located at 501 N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg for a commercial alarm. Upon arriving, suspects entered the business & removed miscellaneous jewelry.
Then, just after 2 a.m., a vehicle was reported on fire in the 100 block of Watkins Station Circle near the Firebird restaurant. Flames spread to nearby vegetation, officials said. The fire was safely put out by one responding unit. The car was reported stolen. This fire is being investigated as arson, according to investigators.
Two minutes later, a fire was reported at a strip mall located at 8 E Diamond Avenue. Arriving units found fire showing through the roof of the building. One of the initial responding units knocked down some of the visible flames from the outside until additional crews were on scene. Fire officials said the fire was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries reported. This fire is also being investigated as arson.
Detectives and investigators from both the Gaithersburg Police Department and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services are investigating these incidents together.
Anyone with information regarding these fires, or with information about the commercial burglary is asked to contact the Gaithersburg Police Investigative Section at 301-258-6400 or the Fire & Explosive Investigators at 240-777-2263
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