Hummer Road House Fire Ruled Accidental

Update: 12:16 p.m. Tuesday, July 5

Capt. Willie F. Bailey with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said fire investigators have ruled the house fire on Hummer Road in Annandale that shut down much of the street for more than four hours on Friday, July 1 as accidental.

Firefighters originally received a call to 3905 Hummer Road for a grass fire. Bailey said investigators determined the fire was started from the electrical panel on the side of the house. The home's three occupants, homeowners Forrest and Sherry Barker and a boarder, have been displaced, but have accepted Red Cross assistance. The damages are estimated at $225,000.

Updated 6:56 p.m. Friday, July 1

Although authorities have not given him any details about the cause of the fire, homeowner Forrest Barker said he thinks it may have been the fuse box located in the right corner of the home where the majority of the damage is started the fire.

Barker said he and his wife Sherry have lived in the home for the last 33 years and most of their belongings were destroyed in the fire, including their cell phones. The Barker's property extends as far back to . He is undecided at the moment where he and his wife would stay.

Updated: 5:52 p.m. Friday, July 1

Two firefighters have received non-life threatening injuries, according to Capt. Jenkins with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue public information office. The homeowner's cat was also found uninjured.

The homeowner has requested Red Cross assistance and Ian Sterne, Disaster Relief Coordinator with Emergency and International Services, is on scene.

Posted at 4:40 p.m. Friday, July 1

A two-story family home at 3905 Hummer Rd in Annandale caught fire this afternoon after what authorities said was intially called in as a grass fire.

According to Capt. Jason Jenkins with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, units responded around 3 p.m. for a grass fire. When units arrived on scene, the fire spread to the home and engulfed much of the right side.

The female homeowner, whose name was not released, was outside when the fire started. Another tenant who rents out the back of the home was at work during the fire, Jenkins said. Both the homeowner and all firefighters on scene are unharmed.

One neighbor, who declined to give her name, said the homeowner was gardening outside when the fire began. Another neighbor said the entire right side of the home was ablaze around 3:15 p.m. when she stepped out. When she returned home close to 3:30 p.m., the fire had extended to the attic.

Annandale fire engines 408 and 423 responded to the fire, including some units from North Springfield and Jefferson.

Firefighters continue to battle hot spots in the home in order to make it safe enough for the fire investigators to get inside and complete an assessment.

Jenkins said Hummer Road between Little River Turnpike and Annandale Road will be shut down for quite some time. Residents are advised to use alternative routes. Only those who live near 3905 Hummer Ed are being allowed to drive up to as far as Royce St.

Annandale Patch is on scene and will update this story as further details are released.