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

News Release 09-09
Date: January 26, 2009

Two-Alarm Service Station Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a building fire at approximately 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2009, in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County. The service station, Sleepy Hollow Shell, is located at 6660 Arlington Boulevard.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke coming from the front service bays of the station. Upon arrival, a second-alarm was requested, bringing over 60 emergency personnel to the scene. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes. A service employee was working on a vehicle when the fire started. Several employees attempted to extinguish the fire before evacuating and calling 911. Three adults were medically evaluated on scene; one adult male was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Two vehicles inside the station were destroyed.

Damage is estimated at $258,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. A dropped shop light too close to fuel vapors caused the fire.

Combustibles Too Close To a Heating Source Safety Tips

• Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heating source and anything combustible.
• Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

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.