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 09-49
Date: July 13, 2009

Springfield House Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire Sunday, July 12, 2009, at approximately 3:45 p.m., in the Springfield area of Fairfax County. The home is located at 7232 Beverly Park Drive.

Firefighters encountered smoke and fire coming the roof and eaves of the single-family home upon arrival. Firefighters encountered fire in the kitchen, extending to the attic area of the two-story home. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. Smoke alarms were present and activated. No one was home when the fire broke out. Six adults and one child have been displaced. Red Cross is assisting the family. There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at $110,000.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. Unattended food on the stove caused the fire

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 Captain I Willie F. Bailey, 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.