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.Pa-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

2/6/08

Two-Alarm Herndon Townhouse Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire, Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at approximately 6:30 p.m. in the Herndon area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located at 709 Birch Court.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke from the side of the two-story townhouse upon arrival. A second fire alarm was requested, bringing over 60 emergency personnel to the scene. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes. One adult and five children have been displaced. Red Cross is assisting the family. There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. The fire originated on the stove in the kitchen.

Kitchen Safety Tips

• Enforce a “kid-free zone” of three feet around your stove.
  
• Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking. (Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire or get caught on pot handles.)
  
• Keep things that can catch fire such as dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet away from the stove.
  
• Do not leave cooking food unattended.
  
• Turn pot handles inward, facing the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.
  
• Pot holders or oven mitts prevent burns when handling hot dishes.
  
• Regularly clean your cooking equipment so that there are no cooking materials, food items or grease accumulation.
  
• Have a pot lid handy to smother a pan fire. Do not attempt to pick up the pot or pan. Shut off the heat and cover the fire with a lid.

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.