Two women are dead and a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service firefighter is injured after a house fire in Silver Spring early Sunday, July 6.

The fire was reported shortly before 4 a.m. near the intersection of Plyers Mill Road and Brunswick Avenue, MCFRS spokesperson David Pazos confirmed.

“When crews arrived on the scene, they found heavy fire in the second floor of a single-family home,” Pazos said.

An EMS crew returning from a hospital transport spotted something wrong first. Pazos said the crew "noticed a haze in the area and began investigating," leading them to the burning home at a time when most residents in the neighborhood would have been asleep.

They then reported the blaze to dispatch.

MCFRS has not released the names or ages of the two women who died. The cause of the fire and the extent of the firefighter's injuries also remain unconfirmed.

"2400blk Harmon Rd(Silver Spring)/House Fire w/ double fatality," Pazos posted to X. "@mcfrs arrived to find fire to 2nd fl of a SFH with no occupants outside. Crews performed an aggressive search and located 2 adult F deceased, inside the structure. 1 FF transported with non-life threatening injury."

The fire is the latest reminder that early detection saves lives, particularly in the overnight hours. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue urges residents to test smoke alarms monthly and keep working detectors on every level of the home.

Residents with information about the fire can contact Montgomery County Police's non-emergency line at 301-279-8000.