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

07/14/08

Vienna House Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire at approximately 6:50 a.m., Sunday, July 13, 2008, in the Vienna area of Fairfax County. The single-family home is located at 410 Glyndon Street, SE.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke from several windows of the home upon arrival. The fire originated in a bedroom on the second floor. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes. A smoke alarm sounded providing early warning for the occupants who escaped with no injuries. Two adult males have been displaced.

Damage is estimated at $25,000.

According to fire investigators the cause of the fire was accidental. Improper disposal of smoking materials caused the fire.

Discarded Smoking Materials Safety Tips

• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.

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.