Charcoal Grill Ignites House Fire In Alexandria Area

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A house fire started by an unattended charcoal grill displaced its five residents in Hybla Valley on Saturday, June 24.

Around 10:58 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and the City of Alexandria Fire Department responded to the fire at the 3400 block of Beechcraft Drive. Firefighters were able to extinguish the heavy fire.

No one was home during the fire, but two firefighters suffered minor injuries. A neighbor had reported the fire, and damages are estimated at $278,537. The five displaced residents are receiving Red Cross assistance.

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Fire investigators said the fire ignited on the home's wooden deck due to an unattended charcoal grill. Firefighter found no working smoke alarms in the home.

As outdoor cooking season heats up, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offers the following tips to residents:

• Do not leave the grill unattended.
• Use charcoal lighter fluid only before the fire is lit. Adding more fluid to a fire can ignite the stream of fuel into the can, causing the can to explode.
• Do not use gasoline to light a grill.
• Use a U.L. approved electrical starter instead of lighter fluid.
• Do not use a grill on apartment or condo balconies, as it is against the law.
• Keep the grill away from structures so it will not ignite items near it.
• Keep a garden hose or fire extinguisher handy.
• Do not bring the grill into the home, as carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal can be dangerous or deadly in an enclosed space.
• Keep children and pets away from fires and grills.
• Soak coals with water, even if they appear cool. Coals retain enough heat to reignite for days after a fire.
• Keep wet bags of charcoal in a ventilated area away from the home. Spontaneous ignition can occur in confined areas as the charcoal dries.

Images via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue