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): 703-877-3702
fire-rescue.PA-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov

News Release 11-031
Date: April 8, 2011

Accidental Fairfax House Fire

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire Thursday, April 7, 2011, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Fairfax area of Fairfax County. The single-family home is located at 4809 Briggs Road.

Firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the rear and roof of the two-story home upon arrival. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 50 minutes. Firefighting crews conducted an offensive fire attack on the home, but the fire continued to grow and an orderly retreat was ordered by the Incident Commander. Once out of the structure, the units continued an aggressive defense attack to knock down the fire. The fire originated on the rear deck of the home. No one was home when the fire started. Three adults and three children have been displaced. Red Cross support was declined by the occupants. One firefighter was transported to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Damage is estimated at $175,000.

According to fire investigators, the cause of the fire was accidental. Improperly discarded 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 Captain I William Moreland, 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.
https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyfirerescue