Arrest Made in Chevy Chase 3 Alarm Fire

[Howard Hartman]

	Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service An Internationally Accredited Public Safety Agency NEWS RELEASE     Richard Bowers, Fire Chief     Assistant Chief Scott Graham, Public Information Officer     Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, 12th Floor, Rockville, Maryland, 20850     Phone: 240.777.2474 – Media Hotline – 240.777.2442
May 2, 2012

Arrest Made in Chevy Chase 3 Alarm Fire

Rockville - - After midnight this morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Investigators arrested 24 year old Abraham Ogazgi Kiflu of Chevy Chase. Fire Chief Richard Bowers stated that the man went to the 3rd District Police Station during the night and asked to speak with the Fire Marshal. During that interview, Kiflu voluntarily confessed to starting the fire. Kiflu was charged with 1st Degree Arson. Additional charges are pending. Kiflu is a relative of the tenant and was living there at the time of the fire. Exact circumstances and details are not immediately available due to the continuing investigation.

The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. on May 1, 2012 at 2815 Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase. Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators report that the fire damaged or destroyed 34 units of which 2 were not occupied and displaced more than 100 people. The fire caused in excess $1,000,000.00 damage to the structure and contents. Approximately 125 fire and rescue personnel responded and were on the scene for more than 4 hours.

No civilians were injured. Two firefighters suffered injuries. One firefighter was transported to a local trauma center with serious non life threatening injuries related to heat and the other with minor orthopedic to a local hospital. Both firefighters have since been released.

2815 Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase