Two Cats Perish in Franconia Fire: County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Two cats perished Thursday in a fire at a home in Franconia, according to Fairfax County Fire & Rescue.

On Thursday, Nov. 24, at approximately 4:10 p.m., fire and rescue units responded for a report of the smell of smoke in a townhouse in the 6000 block of Heatherwood Drive (see map below) in the Franconia section of Fairfax County.

When firefighters arrived, they found a two-story, middle-unit townhouse with no smoke or fire visible. After investigating, they discovered smoke coming from a second-floor window of the townhouse next door. Firefighters located and extinguished a fire in a bedroom on the second floor. The initial call for help came from a neighbor who smelled smoke and dialed 911.

The county said two cats perished as a result of the fire. No other occupants were home at the time of the fire, the fire department said. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries. Two adult occupants were displaced by the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental. The fire started in a second-floor bedroom and was caused by a lamp that was too close to combustibles, the fire department said. Damage to the property is estimated at $27,500.00.

Approximate location of fire Thursday (Google maps):

PHOTO: Shutterstock