Two-Alarm Fire Damages Alexandria Townhouse

A two-alarm fire has damaged a townhouse in Alexandria, less than five miles from Annandale.

Fire units were dispatched around 4:55 p.m. to a reported structure fire at 6440 Wingate Street in Alexandria, according to Fire and EMS Battalion Chief Rick Genest with the Arlington County Fire Department. Upon arrival, firefighters saw fire showing from two sides of the building. Genest said there were no injuries to any firefighters or civilians and everyone was evacuated from the building by the time firefighters arrived. "There was no damage to the lower level, but there was significant fire damage to the room and board," said Genest.

Annandale engine 408 was the first to deploy and units from Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax also responded.

"It spread quickly in a pretty short time," said resident Daniel Berhane, who lives next door and was home when the fire started. Berhane said he was preparing to leave with his children when he smelled smoke. He added that maintenance personnel for the complex knocked on doors and advised residents to evacuate the building.

Fire Investigator Paul Masiello with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department confirmed there were no fatalities and said the investigation into the cause of the fire was still pending.