Updated: Herndon Townhouse Fired Caused $253K In Damage

HERNDON, VA — One person was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries suffered during a two-alarm fire that occurred early Tuesday morning in Herndon, according to Fairfax Fire & Rescue Department.

Units responded around 12:56 a.m., for the report of a townhouse fire in the 100 block of Fortnightly Boulevard. Arriving on the scene, firefighters reported a fire showing at the back of the three-story townhouse unit, according to an FCF&RD blog post.

Firefighters observed two residents in a second-story window above the front door. A crew from Herndon Engine 404 deployed a ladder and helped the residents to escape.

A second alarm was requested, which brought additional unit to the scene including from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department. Eventually, they were able to bring the fire under control.

Besides the one person transported to the hospital, no other injuries were reported, although a cat was found deceased.

Fire investigators determined that the fire had started in the garage and was accidental. Damage to the townhouse was estimated at $253,550.

Neighboring townhouses did sustain minor damage. That and the loss of one car and two motorcycles in the home where the fire occurred were not included in the damage estimate, according to FCF&RD.

Herndon Police closed off Center Street and Grace Street between the W&OD Trail and Park Avenue near the Herndon Fortnightly Library while fire crews worked to put out the fire, according to posts on the department's official Twitter account.

Police reopened roads around 3:15 a.m., according to a department spokeswoman.

Units on scene of a townhouse fire in 100 Block of Fortnightly Blvd., in Town of Herndon. Fire showing on arrival. 2nd alarm requested. Fire under control. Hitting hot spots. One person transported to hospital with minor injuries. Other townhouses with minor damage. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/ESrZjH70Mz
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 17, 2021

TRAFFIC ALERT: As @ffxfirerescue works a fire at Fortnightly, officers have Grace St between W&OD and Park, as well as Center St in front of the library closed to traffic. Updates as available. #herndonpd pic.twitter.com/hY7J0MUd5G
— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) August 17, 2021