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

08/05/08

Two-Alarm Lorton Townhouse Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a townhouse fire at approximately 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2008, in the Lorton area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located at 9829 Hagel Circle.

Firefighters encountered fire from the front and side second story windows of the two-story townhouse upon arrival. An additional alarm was requested bringing over 60 emergency personnel to the scene. The fire was brought under control in approximately 15 minutes.

The occupants were alerted by the smoke alarm and escaped unharmed. Five people were displaced, two adults and three children. There were no injuries. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced family.

Damage is estimated at $75,000.

According to fire investigators, a child playing with a lighter in a second floor bedroom caused the fire.

Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers

• Keep lighters and matches out of sight, and out of reach.
• Teach young children that fire and fire tools are for grown-ups to use.
• Ask young children to tell you when they find lighters and matches, and then place them out of sight and out of 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.