FCFRD News Blog : Improperly Discarded Fireplace Ashes Cause Of Herndon House Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

February 18, 2022

On Monday, February 14, at approximately 3:46 a.m., units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched for a house fire in the 12000 block of Sugarland Valley Drive in the Herndon area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home with fire visible in the attached garage. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire. The fire damage was isolated to the garage. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

Five occupants were home at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered when the occupants woke up to the smell of smoke. Upon investigation, smoke and flames were observed coming from inside the garage. Working smoke alarms were present but did not sound due to the location of the fire.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in the attached garage. The cause of the fire was improperly discarded fireplace ashes into a trash receptacle.

No occupants were displaced because of the fire damage being isolated to the garage. Red Cross assistance was not needed. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $87,500.

This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.