Just after 11:30 AM, Monday, May 12, 2008, Firefighters from the Bowie area and surrounding communities were alerted to a townhouse fire.

Firefighters arrived quickly at 13005 Minetta Lane, a 2-story with basement, middle of the row townhouse, with heavy fire showing. A second-alarm was sounded bringing about 60 firefighters, medics and civilian personnel to the scene. It required 30 minutes to knock down the fire.

No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire loss is still being tabulated. There will be at least 3 families displaced by the fire including the townhouse of origin and ones on either side.

Displaced residents are being assisted by the Fire/EMS Departments Citizens Services Unit.