Damascus man saved from burning home

Tony Veith, 56, now a fire department mechanic for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, rescued the man, who said he feared for his life, Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Pete Piringer said.

‘‘He was in his living room watching TV,” Veith said. ‘‘He heard a sound and smelled smoke. The fire was getting large. He was by the front door and I helped him out.”

Veith said he was happy he was driving by so he could lend a helping hand.

More than 65 firefighters from Montgomery and Carroll counties rushed to 26545 Ridge Road at 10:45 p.m. to put out the fire, Piringer said. Two received minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

The damage to the house was estimated at $400,000 and $100,000 worth of damage to the contents of the house, he said.

Investigators found a malfunctioning clothes dryer caused the fire.

‘‘We are fortunate the resident could get out,” Piringer said. ‘‘He did not have a working smoke alarm. It is important to have a smoke alarm. He would have had an early warning.”

A portion of Ridge Road just north of Route 108 was closed for a couple of hours while firefighters worked on the scene.