Several fire squads from Charles County and Prince George’s County responded to a two alarm fire on Charleston Court in La Plata on Monday, and occupants of three homes have been displaced.

“A neighbor was alerted to the exterior fire when she started to smell an odor of smoke outside,” a notice from the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s office stated.  “The neighbor alerted the occupant and they safely evacuated. It was determined that the fire originated on the deck to the rear of the upper level condo at 102 Charleston Court from a carelessly discarded smoking item. Occupants of condo units 101, 102 and 103 Charleston Court have been displaced at this time, and are being assisted by friends and family.”

The fire caused over $180,000 in damage, and took over 60 firefighters around 20 minutes to control the blaze. The fire did not spread to other townhomes in the area. Crews from the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department, Marbury Volunteer Fire Department, Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department, Accokeek Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, and Naval District Washington - Indian Head Fire Department all responded to the call.