Winter weather likely behind fires in Prince George's

The Prince George’s County fire department battled six structure fires between Friday morning and Saturday night that caused an estimated $743,000 in total damage, officials said. The unusual number of fires likely was caused in part by the weekend’s sudden bout of wintry weather, said fire spokesman Mark Brady. As the weather turns colder, residents often look for “alternative ways” to stay warm, such as space heaters and fireplaces.

This was true of a fire on the 4700 block of Colonel Ashton Place in Upper Marlboro on Saturday night.