Belle Haven Fire Ignited By Fireplace Ashes

BELLE HAVEN, VA—Around 60 Fairfax County and Alexandria firefighters battled a fire started by fireplace ashes at a Belle Haven home early Thursday afternoon. No one was injured.

Around 12:16 p.m., firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire that spread into the attic in the 6100 Block of Vernon Terrace. A man evacuated before firefighters arrived and said his daughter was still trapped on the third floor. Firefighters rescued the woman, who was unharmed.

The blaze had been upgraded to a two-alarm fire before firefighters were able to get it under control around 1 p.m. Fire investigators say it started on the outside of the home by improperly discarded fireplace ashes.

The home's four residents are displaced but have declined Red Cross assistance. Initial damage estimates are $211,250.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department urges residents to follow a number of tips to safely get rid of fire ashes:

• Put ashes into a non-combustible metal container with a lid. Do not discard ashes into a combustible container such as a paper or plastic bag, a cardboard box, or a plastic trash can.
• Do not place ash containers on decks, porches, or in garages.
• Pour water into the container to make sure the ashes are cool.
• Keep the container outside the home, away from the fireplace, stove pr anything combustible.
• Teach family members to safely handle ashes from the fireplace or wood stove.

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