Photo of Trevon Miller (Courtesy of the Prince George’s County Police Department)

Police arrested a man yesterday who they say flew a drone that almost collided with a police helicopter near a massive fire in College Park, Maryland.

Prince George’s County Police Department officers identified 24-year-old Trevon Miller as the suspect who flew a drone where the five-alarm fire erupted at an unfinished apartment building.

The incident took place around 12:30 p.m. when the drone flew “into the direct flight path” of a police helicopter that was in the air to assist firefighters, according to a release from the police department. The pilot “performed evasive maneuvers and was able to prevent a collision.”

Police found and arrested Miller, charging him with interfering with police and fire response, along with reckless endangerment.

Photo of Miller’s drone (Courtesy of the Prince George’s County Police Department)

Area hobbyists aren’t allowed to fly drones within 15 miles of Washington, without specific authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. Police say they will consult with the FAA to see if additional charges should be filed.

It took more than 200 firefighters to contain the blaze, which broke out Monday morning on the upper levels of Fuse 47—a huge, mixed-use development that was slated to open in July on the 4700 block of Berwyn House Road.

About 65 senior citizens at a nearby facility were evacuated and students at the University of Maryland’s College Park were dismissed early from classes as people reported smelling smoke from miles away.

Officials took an adult female resident of the senior facility to a local hospital after she had trouble breathing, according to a release from the Prince George’s Fire Department. A firefighter experienced fatigue while battling the fire and was also taken to a local hospital for evaluation. And a member of the Office of Emergency Management injured his ankle on the scene and was treated on site.

The damages total nearly $40 million, according to fire officials who say this incident is the “largest suppression effort and the highest fire loss estimate in the history” of the department.

PGFD Public Information Officer Mark Brady tweeted a video of the damages this morning. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Filed Under: college park fire, drone, fire, police helicopter, Trevon Miller, university of maryland,