4 People Flee from Burning House in Herndon

HERNDON, VA — A house in Herndon erupted in flames due to ashes that were improperly disposed of, according to a report from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters were called to the 12300 block of Myterra Way at around 1:20 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 to a report of a house fire. They arrived to find fire showing from the basement and first floor of a two-level home, the report states.

They were able to quickly extinguish the fire, with only minor extension to the second floor. Three adults and a child were at home at the time, but they discovered the fire before the smoke alarms activated and got out of the house in time.

There was a total of $155,000 in damage to the house. The family declined Red Cross assistance.

"According to Fire Investigators, the fire started under the elevated enclosed deck in the rear of the home," the report states. "The cause of the fire was accidental in nature and was the result of the ignition of combustible materials due to improper disposal of fireplace ashes in a plastic container."

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue