Residents, Dogs Escape Christmas Eve Fire In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, VA—Two residents and two dogs are safe after a townhouse fire in Mount Vernon on Christmas Eve.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units responded to the fire in the 8500 block of Towne Manor Court around 11:51 p.m. on Monday. No smoke was showing from the outside, but firefighters found the blaze in a second-floor bedroom and quickly extinguished it.

The people and dogs escaped ahead of help arriving. Smoke alarms activated before the residents found the fire. There were no injuries.

Fire investigators say an electrical event in a damaged electrical cord started the fire. The cord was supplying power to lights in the upstairs bedroom closet. The initial damage estimate is $20,000, according to the fire department.

The residents declined Red Cross assistance.

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