Arlington House Fire Thursday Morning Claims Victim, 73

An Arlington man has died from smoke inhalation at an area hospital after he was rescued from his burning home early Thursday morning, according to Arlington County officials.

Authorities identified him as Dennis Leigh, 73.

Arlington County Fire Department firefighters responded early Thursday morning about 4:30 a.m. to a fire at the man’s home at 2112 S. Randolph in south Arlington, according to a news release from the fire department. It was the second home fire rescue in 24 hours in the county.

Also read: Arlington Firefighters Rescue 2 Wednesday From Burning Home

Firefighters arrived Thursday morning to find fire coming from the single family home and a report of one adult male trapped inside, according to the news release.

Firefighters rescued Leigh from the first floor and provided emergency medical care. Leigh was transported in life-threatening condition to Virginia Hospital Center, where he was later pronounced dead, according to authorities. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be smoke inhalation.

The fire went to a second alarm, bringing approximately 70 firefighters to the scene. The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes and no other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said. Fire Marshals estimate the damage at $90,000.

Fire Marshals report that the home had smoke alarms, but it is unknown if they were working.

The Arlington County Fire Department reminds you to:

• Install smoke alarms on every floor and in every bedroom.
• Test your smoke alarms every month by pressing the “test” button.
• Change the batteries in all alarms twice a year with daylight savings time, unless you alarm is equipped with a 10 year lithium battery.
• Ensure every person in your home understands and practices your home fire escape plantwice a year. Your plan should include two ways out of every room, getting low, closing the door behind, going directly to your predetermined family meeting place, and then calling 9-1-1.

If you do not have a working smoke alarm, the fire department provides free smoke alarm installations for Arlington County residents.