FCFRD News Blog : Newington House Fire Caused By Improperly Discarded Smoking Material

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

February 24, 2022

On Friday, February 18, at 9:59 a.m., units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Fort Belvoir Department of Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 7800 block of Water Valley Court in the Newington area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, split foyer style, single-family home with fire visible from the rear of the house. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported.  

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire. One occupant smelled smoke and, upon further investigation, discovered the fire on the rear patio. The occupants self-evacuated and called 9-1-1. Working smoke alarms were present and sounded after the occupants discovered the fire.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started on the rear patio. The fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking material.

Five occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross services were offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $162,500.

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