United States (Maryland) - Prince Georges County Fire Investigators are still searching for the cause of a fire that destroyed a restaurant early this morning. At about 1:40 AM, Wednesday, December 30, 2009, Firefighters from the Bladensburg area were alerted to a report of a building on fire. Fire/EMS units arrived at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) at 3601 Bladensburg Road and discovered fire showing from one side of the building and heavy fire consuming the roof area. Heavy fire conditions and a wall collapse forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from the safety of the exterior of the structure. Master stream devices on-board the elevated tips of ladder trucks were utilized to deliver large amounts of water to knock down the fire. Fifty-two firefighters worked for about 1 hour before the bulk of the fire was knocked down and declared under control. The IHOP was closed for the day when firefighters arrived. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and fire loss is estimated at $500,000.

Written by Mark E. Brady