By james art 
Crews responded to two fires in the city in less than 24 hours.
WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery County firefighters are reminding residents of the importance of smoke alarms after a pair of town fires in Wheaton on Sunday.
Crews first responded to Timberwood on the Townhomes Park in the 10700 block of Lester Street for a report of a townhouse fire in the middle of the row. A spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire Department said the two people who live in the home were awakened by a smoke alarm and were able to get out safely.
When firefighters arrived, they were met with heavy fire. The blaze caused the top floor of the home to collapse. Arriving firefighters worked quickly to make sure the flames did not spread to any of the neighboring townhomes. Despite their efforts, however, several families were displaced due to utility damage that knocked out power and heat to homes.
The Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region was called to assist the family whose home caught fire.
A total of about 60 firefighters responded to the scene to extinguish the flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Later Sunday, firefighters were called to another home in the middle of the row, about eight blocks from the fire on Lester Street.
That fire was again reported around 9:00 p.m. The people who lived in the home were able to get out safely because of a smoke alarm. Three adults and a dog escaped the fire without injury.
Firefighters responded to the 10800 block of Bucknell Drive at Wyndham Lane and found flames coming from the second floor of the home. Crews quickly extinguished the flames and the fire did not spread beyond the townhouse of origin, firefighters said.
No injuries were reported and the cause of this fire also remains under investigation.
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