A 19-year-old woman is facing arson charges after flames swept through her family's home in Silver Spring, Maryland, early Friday morning, causing extensive damage just days before Christmas.
The 2-alarm fire started about 1 a.m. at a home on Sea Island Court.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming through the roof; ultimately, more than 75 firefighters were called to the scene.
The woman, whose name officials did not release immediately, was charged with one count of first-degree arson and three counts of reckless endangerment. She is being questioned in the case.
"I don't think there was any intent to burn down the whole house, necessarily, but it just got away from them," Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said.
The homeowner told News4 the 19-year-old is his daughter. "We'll be OK," he said. He didn't want to appear on camera.
The fire started in a second-floor bedroom, fire officials said.
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A smoke detector in the home woke other residents of the home. But before the family of four went into the cold, they tried to extinguish the fire on their own, delaying calling 911, fire officials said.
"We believe the family tried to fight the fire for a little while before calling us," Piringer said.
The homeowner said he tried using a blanket to put out the flames.
"In this particular case, in their attempts to smother the fire, it really made things a little worse and it got bigger," Piringer said.
The home owner had trouble getting a fire extinguisher to work.
The family then fled the home, leaving the doors open and further fueling the fire. They escaped safely, and neither they nor firefighters were hurt.
Using a blanket to extinguish a fire is not advised.
Getting out of the house quickly is always the focus. If there's time, close the door behind you.
"When you close a door, it stops that flow of air and in most cases it also is a barrier for you," Piringer said.
The home sustained more than $350,000 in damages.
Ice formed in the frigid temperatures coated what was left of the home Friday.
