Springfield House Fire Injures 1 Person, Causes $175K In Damage

SPRINGFIELD, VA — One person was injured in a house fire in Springfield that caused $175,000 in damage, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said Friday.

At around 10 a.m. on Dec. 8, fire units from Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria Fire Department were dispatched to the house fire in the 6300 block of Abilene Street in Springfield.

Heavy smoke was coming from the front door and roof of the one-story house when fire crews arrived. Crews located the fire in the attic area and extinguished it, the fire department said.

The injured occupant was transported to a hospital by a Fairfax County Police helicopter with non-life-threatening injuries. No firefighters were injured putting out the fire.

Nine occupants were at home at the time of the fire. One occupant heard an “explosion” and then discovered the fire, the fire department said. All occupants, including the injured person, had gotten out of the house, when fire crews arrived. Smoke alarms were present but were not working due to lack of batteries, according to the fire department.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature and started in the utility room. The cause was a piloted flame that escaped from the gas water heater.

Eleven occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and accepted, the fire department said.