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Condo fire in Gaithersburg displaces dozens

WASHINGTON — A fire in a condo complex in Montgomery County, Maryland, displaced dozens of residents Saturday morning.

It happened at the Potomac Oaks condos in Gaithersburg. None of the residents were injured but around 50 to 60 residents from affected buildings are being assisted by the Red Cross, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

More than 100 firefighters were the scene and the fire was out by 8 a.m. No one was injured but one police officer suffered smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still not known, but a spokesman said that it was accidental and likely electrical in nature. The damage is estimated at more than $450,000.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said that those families and residents that were displaced would not be able to return to their homes.

A shelter was set up at an elementary school across the street.

Below is a map of the area where the fire occurred.

[google_map latitude=”39.139303″ longitude=”-77.228359″ zoom=”15″ height=”300px” location_label=”Gaithersburg condo fire”]

This story was updated at 2 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2017.

WTOP’s Abigail Constantino contributed to this report.

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