Firefighters Rescue Baby, 10 More Residents In Belle Haven

BELLE HAVEN, VA — Firefighters rescued 11 residents in a two-alarm fire at an apartment building in Belle Haven Thursday afternoon. The fire displaced 24 residents.

The fire broke out at a garden-style apartment building in the 6400 block of Richmond Highway around 1:42 p.m. Units from the Fairfax County, Alexandria and Fort Belvoir fire departments responded and found fire showing from all three floors. Crews requested a second alarm and advised residents needed to be rescued.

There were 24 people in the building when a resident found the fire on the balcony of another unit. A baby was rescued among with 10 others. One resident was taken to the hospital for a checkup, but there were no firefighter injuries.

Investigators determined the fire started on a second-floor balcony, but the cause remains under investigation. The building had working smoke alarms that activated.

Damages are estimated to be $386,225. The displaced residents are receiving Red Cross assistance. A GoFundMe page is supporting displaced residents.