Dog Dies In Burke House Fire

BURKE, VA—People were able to escape a Burke house that went up in flames over the weekend, but their dog did not make it, according to fire officials.

After 2 a.m. on Sunday, firefighters responded to the townhouse fire in the 6000 block of Ticonderoga Court. A resident was alerted to the fire when the smoke alarm went off. Residents were able to escape before firefighters arrived.

The firefighters located the blaze in the basement and quickly got it under control. No firefighters or residents were injured, except the dog found dead in the home.

The home's five residents were displaced and are receiving Red Cross assistance. Damages are around $62,500.

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Fire investigators say lint in the basement's dryer ignited the blaze. This is a common fire hazard and can be prevented by cleaning dryer vents after each use. Lint can restrict airflow in the vent, which can lead to a heat buildup.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offers the following tips to prevent this fire hazard:

• Clean the lint filter before or after each use as well as the back of the dryer where lint can be trapped. Remove accumulated lint around the drum.
• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
• Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter.
• Qualified service providers should clean the interior of the dryer and venting system periodically. If you notice the drying time is longer, clean the vent system thoroughly to ensure proper airflow.
• Replace plastic, vinyl, and aluminum foil venting with rigid or flexible metal venting.
• Ensure the air exhaust bent pipe is unrestricted and the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer operates.
• Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and the machine is connected properly.
• Do not leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed.
• Do not dry clothing/fabric near anything flammable, such as alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers and dry-cleaning solvents. Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode.
• Keep the dryer area clear of things that can burn, such as boxes or clothing.
• Keep dryers in good working condition. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to ensure the gas line and connection are intact and not leaking.

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