Rep. Edwards to Meet Firefighters Hurt in Riverdale Blaze

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-4th) is set to meet next week with the seven firefighters injured in February.

Family, coworkers, and command staff will also be in attendance for the event, scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 at 5 p.m. at the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department (4213 Edmonston Rd.).

On the night of Feb. 24, units responded to a report of heavy flames at 6404 57th Ave. As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze from inside, a gust of wind swept through the structure, creating "fireball-like conditions."

Seven members of the  and Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department were transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center with burns, fractures, and other injuries. Two remained there for an extended period of time, the last of whom—Bladensburg Sgt. Kevin O'Toole—.

Fire officials later announced that they believed . Investigators also found evidence of a previously unreported fire in the home next door (6402 57th Ave.).

Anyone with information about the fire or those responsible is urged to contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives at 1-888-ATF-FIRE for a reward of up to $5,000. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

Prince George's County's Crime Solvers tip line is offering a separate cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the capture of the alleged fugitive(s) responsible for February's fire. Contact 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) to speak to county officials.