| Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419 and 703-385-1687
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire
11/10/2005
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire at approximately
3 a.m., Thursday, November 10, 2005, in the Penn Daw area of Fairfax County.
The single-family home is located at 7120 Rita Court.
Firefighters saw fire coming from the rear of the home upon arrival. Firefighters
conducted an aggressive attack and brought the fire under control in approximately five minutes.
A smoke alarm provided early warning to the family allowing them to escape unharmed.
The homeowner was awakened by the sound of the smoke alarm, and alerted the family to evacuate
the house. The family of six, two adults and four children, has been displaced and are being
assisted by the American Red Cross.
Damage is estimate at $100,000.
According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. The closet light
in the bedroom came in contact with combustible materials causing the fire.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind you of some
important SAFETY TIPS when dealing with smoke alarms:
- Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon
as the alarm "chirps" warning that the battery is low.
- Don't disable smoke alarms even temporarily.
- The combination of properly working smoke alarms, a planned and
practiced family escape plan, and basic home fire safety awareness has been the
key to being safer.
Additional Safety Note: With the introduction of ten-year lithium batteries
available for use in smoke alarms, replacement is not needed on an annual basis.
However, monthly cleaning and testing remains an important safety measure.
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-285-4419.
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