Fallen Tree Slows Firefighters In Clifton Blaze

CLIFTON, VA — Before putting out a fire Sunday that heavily damaged a Clifton home, firefighters first had to clear out a tree knocked down in last weekend's wind storm that blocked the road on the way to the blaze. Two firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze, which was sparked by an electrical malfunction, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

At 11:02 a.m. Sunday, fire and rescue units responded to a fire at an unoccupied house in the 13300 block of Johnny Moore Lane, south of the Twin Lakes golf course, the fire department said. They were delayed by a large tree that had fallen across "the entire width of Johnny Moore Lane prior to the home," the fire department said in a statement.

Several firefighters had to use a chainsaw to cut up the tree before fire trucks could reach the two-story, single-family home. Flames emerged from the front of the home, and firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control.

The two injured firefighters were taken to local hospitals for medical evaluation, treated and released, the fire department said.

Damage to the house was estimated to total $197,886. Fire investigators determined that the blaze was accidental in nature and started on the home's exterior.

The fire was started by an electrical malfunction of the house's main service feed when the power was restored after a power outage, the fire department said.

Images: Firefighters douse a blaze Sunday at a Clifton house, after cutting through a fallen tree on Johnny Moore Lane (FCFRD).