FCFRD News Blog : Unattended Lit Candle Cause Of West Springfield Townhouse Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

May 20, 2021

On Friday, May 14, at approximately 9:19 a.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched for a reported townhouse fire in the 6000 block of Selwood Place in the West Springfield area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, middle unit townhouse with fire visible on the second floor. Crews rapidly extinguished the fire. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire. One of the occupants smelled smoke and, upon further investigation, saw fire in one of the bedrooms. The occupants self-evacuated and called 9-1-1. Smoke alarms did sound but after the fire was discovered.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in a bedroom. The cause of the fire was an unattended lit candle.

Three occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered but declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $125,000.

This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.