SILVER SPRING, Md. (7News) — Residents of the Plyers Mill Estates neighborhood are mourning the loss of two longtime neighbors who died in an early morning house fire Sunday, remembering them as kind, welcoming women who had been fixtures in the community for decades.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victims found inside the burned home, but neighbors identified them as “Helen” and “Betty,” both retired university professors. One of the women had recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
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“They were just wonderful people,” neighbor Linda Reese said. “They did a lot of walking around. That’s how they knew everybody, and they were so happy when new kids came.”
Reese said she had known the two women for much of her life.
“Helen and Betty were beautiful women inside and out,” she said.
The fire broke out shortly after 4 a.m. while most residents were asleep in the 2400 block of Harmon Road. An ambulance crew traveling on Georgia Avenue was the first to notice smoke and report the fire.
Assistant Montgomery County Fire Chief Dan Ogren said firefighters entered the burning home believing people were trapped inside.
“We had a pretty good idea people were in there,” Ogren said. “We initially couldn’t find them due to the heavy fire conditions. The conditions inside the home made it difficult to locate them.”
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Despite firefighters’ efforts, the two women could not be saved.
On Monday, firefighters returned to the neighborhood, going door to door to discuss fire safety with residents and install smoke detectors where needed.
Reese praised the emergency responders for their efforts.
“I was amazed and humbled watching everybody work together,” she said. “Everybody was doing their part, and I could tell they were shaken and emotional because it was a tough scene.”
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