Explosion Cause Determined In Bailey's Crossroads

BAILEY'S CROSSROADS, VA — The cause of the Nov. 7 explosion during a fire department response has been determined in Bailey's Crossroads.

As voters were casting their ballots on Election Day, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue was dealing with an explosion that occurred in front of firefighters. Units had been responding to the 3800 block of South George Mason Drive around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for smoke in a commercial building. Firefighters found smoke in the building but no fire.

A video shared by the fire department showed the explosion happening with firefighters on scene. The firefighters were not injured, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

The cause of the fire and explosion was found to be degradation of the underground power lines, which caused arcing and an underground fire involving the insulation of adjacent communication lines. The explosion was found to be a backdraft, which usually involves oxygen entering a space without oxygen and causing sudden combustion.

The commercial building had been evacuated before the explosion to investigate the utility emergency. There were no civilian injuries, according to the fire department.