Update: Channel 4 reports Candles, Electrical Problems Possible Causes Of Triple-Fatal Fire:
Montgomery County fire officials said candles or electrical problems may have caused a triple fatal fire in Derwood Monday morning.
The 13-year-old’s father lives in Gaithersburg and has been put in touch with his son, officials said. The boy had no life-threatening injuries.
Firefighters will hand out and inspect smoke detectors in the neighborhood Tuesday night.
An angel fund has been created of Oscar Sanchez. Send donations to:
Sanchez Angel Fund
Sun Trust Bank
18200 Flower Hill Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Debbi Wilgoren and Lori Aratani write in the Washington Post, Investigation of Fatal House Fire Continues, Cause Still Unknown
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of an early-morning fire that swept through a north Montgomery County home, killing a 5-year-old boy and his mother and grandmother. The boy’s 13-year-old brother was able to escape with minor injuries, fire officials said.
Fire officials identified the victims as Paula Curiel, 75, Guillermina “Gail” Curiel Garcia, 42, and Adam Sanchez, 5. Fire officials said Adam would have celebrated his sixth birthday on Wednesday.
Nick Madigan and Gadi Dechter write in the Baltimore Sun, Three killed in Gaithersburg fire
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firemen found religious candles and “shrines” in the dining area of the one-story brick ranch-style home, Piringer said.
The family also had space heaters and other heating sources, which can also cause fires, he said.
Melissa J. Brachfeld writes in the Gazette, Three die in Derwood house fire
Thirteen-year-old Oscar Sanchez and three other family members were asleep in the house when the teen was awakened by the noise of a smoke alarm going off just before 4 a.m. The door to his room, which was in the basement, had been closed and when he pushed it open, he encountered ‘‘some heat and heavy smoke conditions and a fire,” Piringer said.
Sanchez escaped out the back door, ran to a neighbor’s home and banged on the door, shouting that his house was on fire and his family was still trapped inside, Piringer said.