Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.PIO-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

07/09/07

Gunston Fireboat Responds to Boat Fire,
Police Boat Rescues Seven

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fireboat 420 responded to boat fire on the Occoquan River at approximately 4:15 p.m., Sunday, July 8, 2007. The boat was in Virginia water near the Highpoint area, and near marker two.

Firefighters from Boat 420 encountered a 32-foot boat fully involved with fire upon arrival. Firefighters fought the fire and quickly brought it under control. Firefighters were able to keep the boat from sinking and later towed the boat to shore. A Fairfax County police boat, Marine Patrol Boat One, saw smoke coming from the boat while patrolling the area and quickly called for assistance and responded to the scene. There were seven adults aboard when the fire broke out. All seven were rescued by the Fairfax County Police Boat without injury and subsequently taken to the Fairfax Yacht Club.

The occupants aboard tried to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher without success. The fire started in the engine compartment of the boat. The boat was a total loss.

The boat had approximately 50 gallons of fuel aboard. Teamwork by firefighters and police officers prevented injury and averted an environmental disaster.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raúl G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711. 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.