House Fire In Kingstowne Linked To Computer In Garage: Officials

KINGSTOWNE, VA — A house fire in the Kingstowne area of Fairfax County was caused by an electrical problem with a laptop computer in the home’s garage, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Damage from the fire totaled about $43,750.

On Dec. 1, fire units were dispatched to a house fire in the 7200 block of Devereux Court in Kingstowne. Units arrived on the scene of a two-and-a-half story, single-family home with fire showing from the attached garage and extending to the roof.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the rest of the house, according to the fire department. No residents or firefighters were injured in the fire.

Five residents were at home when one occupant heard a loud “popping” noise coming from the garage, according to the fire department. The resident then discovered smoke and fire in the garage.

All occupants got out of the house. Smoke alarms were inside the home, but not in the garage. The smoke alarms did not activate due to the location of the fire, the fire department said.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature and started in the garage on a work table. The fire was caused by an "electrical event involving a laptop computer," the department said.

The five occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined.