A powerful fire ripped through a condo building in Bowie, Maryland, on Monday afternoon, displacing the residents of more than a dozen homes.
Two people were rescued from balconies and evaluated by medics, the Prince George’s County fire department said.
April Goldsborough’s third-floor condo was destroyed, but firefighter saved her bird, 11-year-old Andre.
“I mean, I know I lost everything, but I got Andre back,” she said.
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Chopper4 footage shows significant damage to upper floors of the building in the 15600 block of Everglade Lane, west of Mitchellville Road. The roof was destroyed, exposing entire homes.
The fire broke out at the Woodland Lake Condos shortly after 1 p.m. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed. Smoke could be seen for miles. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control, but it took hours.
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Residents said they had only a few minutes to get out.
“I got the hell out of there,” one resident said. She said she heard an alarm, saw smoke and got out.
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The top three floors of the building were gutted.
“I‘m stunned,” neighbor Michele Love said. “I just came home from work and I didn’t know what to say.”
Officials believe the fire started on a balcony, but its specific cause was not immediately clear.
Fourteen families reached out to the Red Cross for assistance.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
