Two-Alarm Fire Injures Alexandria Resident, Causes $1M in Damages

The Alexandria Fire Department responded to a mid-rise condominium building in the 1200 block of South Washington Street for a two-alarm apartment fire just after midnight Wednesday.

Building residents called the department for a fire alarm sounding and then for smoke in the hallways.

The first arriving firefighters found fire coming from a first-floor apartment at the rear of the building. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes, according to the Fire Department.

One resident of the apartment on fire was transported to Washington Hospital Center for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation received while fighting the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department. A second occupant was evacuated without injury. Both occupants will be relocated with assistance of the Red Cross.

Fire investigators determined the fire to be accidental caused by curtains coming in contact with a halogen light bulb.

The fire caused an estimated $1 million in fire and smoke damage to the building. The building was not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.