Sprinkler System Helps Contain Fire At Woodbridge Home

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A sprinkler system helped contain a fire at a Woodbridge townhouse Thursday, according to Prince William County Fire and Rescue.

Units responded around 4 p.m. Thursday to a townhouse in the 14700 block of Mason Creek Circle in Woodbridge. Firefighters located a blaze in the back of stacked townhomes. While the fire extended from the ground level to the attic, the fire department said an exterior sprinkler helped control the fire. There were no reported injuries.

While the fire did not extend into neighboring homes, the building officials determined two stacked homes were unsafe to occupy. Three adults and one child were displaced and are receiving Red Cross assistance.

The fire marshal's office determined the cause of the fire was an electrical event in the electric meter in the back of the home.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue noted that the sprinkler system helped prevent a worse outcome.

"This is an excellent example of today’s building and fire codes preventing a much more serious incident," the fire department said. "Property damage was limited, life safety was enhanced, and firefighting efforts were reduced. Sprinklers save lives and property."