Malfunctioning Attic Fan Causes $71K In Fire Damage At Lorton Home

LORTON, VA — Units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched Saturday morning to a house fire in the Lorton area Saturday morning.

The house fire, in the 7500 block of Billsam Court, caused $71,000 in damage, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, units arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home with smoke coming from the roof. Crews quickly located, and extinguished, a fire in the attic, the fire department said.

Three residents were home at the time of the fire. A neighbor noticed smoke coming from the house and alerted the residents. All three occupants, and their pets, safely evacuated the home and called 911. Smoke alarms were present but did not activate due to the location of the fire, according to the fire department.

No civilians or firefighters were injured in the fire. Fire Investigators determined the fire was accidental and was caused by a malfunctioning attic fan.

Three of the home’s occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross services were offered and accepted by the residents, the fire department said.