Residents Jump From Balconies in Two-Alarm Apartment Fire

A two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment complex off at 14400 Gemstone Dr. Monday night and displaced 56 people. 

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Firefighters were called to an apartment fire off of Route 1 at 9 p.m. 

OWL Engine 512 arrived on scene within minutes and reported heavy smoke and fire from third floor of the apartment building, said OWL VFD public relations specialist Rebecca Barnes

"First arriving crews began evacuating residents who had started jumping from balconies to escape the fire," said Barnes. "A second alarm was requested almost immediately to assist with evacuation of residents."

Barnes said the fire was under control within 10 minutes. Fire and Rescue units from OWL VFD, Dale City VFD, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, Dumfries-Triangle VFD, Quantico Marine Corps, Stonewall, Coles VFD, City of Manassas and the Prince William County Police Department responded to the incident.

"One firefighter was treated for injuries. There were minor reported civilian injuries," said Barnes. "Twelve apartment units were affected. 56 people were reported displaced, 13 of them children. The American Red Cross was called in to assist occupants with temporary housing."

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s office.