Montgomery apartment blaze likely arson: Fire officials

An apartment fire that led to the balcony rescues of four people in Germantown on Tuesday appears to have been set deliberately, Montgomery County fire department officials said Wednesday.

Arson investigators think an unknown substance that aided the growth of the fire was used inside the apartment building at 12204 Eagles Nest Court, said Capt. Oscar Garcia, a department spokesman.

Of the four people rescued in the 4:30 a.m. blaze, one was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

"This is pretty serious. People are sleeping at that time," Garcia said.

The investigators are trying to talk to more than 25 residents of the apartment building, Garcia said.

Investigators also want to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything out-of-ordinary in or around the building Tuesday morning. People with information about the fire can call the arson tip line at 240-777-2263, or 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

-- Dan Morse