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

11/05/08

Two Charged In Explosion

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire investigators charged Lawrence Fry, 55, with trespassing after having been forbidden to do so, (Class 1 Misdemeanor, Virginia Code § 18.2-119), and failure to control sources of ignition (Class 1 Misdemeanor, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code 1703.2.1), and Evelyn Y. Garcia-Williams, 52, with conspiring to trespass (Class 3 Misdemeanor, Virginia Code § 18.2.23a).  The charges are in connection to the accidental apartment explosion occurring Saturday, November 1, 2008, at approximately 3:05 p.m., 7524 Broadway Drive, #201, in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

Vapors from the improper use of fumigants ignited, causing a low order explosion to apartment #201, damaging several windows, and a sliding glass door to another apartment unit. The three-story garden apartment is owned by Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA).

There were no injuries. Three occupants were displaced.

Damage is estimated at $20,000.

Evelyn Garcia-Williams was released on summons, and Frye was released on his own recognizance.

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.