Ashes Spark Fire at Falls Church Area Home

Units responded to a house fire Sunday night at approximately 11:40 p.m., in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County. The single-family home is located in the 7100 block of Terry Lane (see map below).

Firefighters encountered smoke and fire coming from the side and attic of the ranch-style home upon arrival, according to the fire department. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack and quickly extinguished the fire.

No one was home when the fire broke out, the fire department said. The home did not have working smoke alarms, the department noted. The occupant has been displaced; Red Cross support was offered but declined. There were no injuries, the fire department said.

Damage is estimated at approximately $80,000, according to the fire department.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. Improperly disposed ashes in a metal can from an outside warming fire near the exterior of the home caused the fire.