Fire Displaces Falls Church Area Family of 8

PHOTOS from Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Facebook page/provided by Lt. Matt Tamillow

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FALLS CHURCH, VA -- Firefighters put out a blaze early Friday that did more than $100,000 damage to a Falls Church area home. The fire department says the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Units responded to the house fire Friday at approximately 2:50 a.m., in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County. The home is located in the 6000 block of Costner Drive, according to Fairfax County Fire & Rescue.

Firefighters found smoke and fire coming from the two-story, single-family home when they arrived early Friday.

Eight occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed. Seven adults and one juvenile have been displaced and Red Cross is assisting, the fire department said. There were no injuries reported.

Damage is estimated at $113,750, the fire department said.

Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be improperly discarded smoking materials.

Discarded Smoking Materials Safety Tips

• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.