2 People Seriously Injured In Herndon Apartment Fire That Displaced 44 Residents

HERNDON, VA — Nine people were injured and 44 residents were displaced in a two-alarm fire Thursday night at a Herndon apartment building, according to a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue blog post.

Fairfax County fire and rescue units responded around 5:34 p.m for the report of an apartment fire in the 800 block of Park Avenue in the Town of Herndon.

On the way to the scene, firefighters learned that the fire was in a second floor unit and occupants were jumping out of third-floor windows. For this reason, the department put out a second alarm, which brought in units from the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department.

Once on the scene, firefighters observed fire showing from the upper floor of a three-story garden apartment. While rescue crews began helping occupants escape from the building, fire personnel began to extinguish the blaze.

Before fire units arrived, a mother and three young children were able to exit the building by climbing down sheets they had tied together. Firefighters used a ladder to help three other residents escape.

In total, nine people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, with two of those people being treated for life-threatening injuries. No firefighters were reported injured.

Four people were in the apartment where the fire originated, according to the blog post. When they learned of the fire, they exited the building. Another resident saw smoke coming from the apartment and called 9-1-1.

Fire inspectors determined the fire started in a bedroom and was caused by an electrical event in a charging cable. Damage was estimated at $287,500.

Once the fire was extinguished, it was determined that 11 apartments were uninhabitable, causing 44 residents to be displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

UPDATE - Electrical Event Cause of Herndon Apartment Fire. Nine residents transported to the hospital. Two of the nine sustained life-threatening injuries. More: https://t.co/bNQlQ8GBlj #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/3uhapel0NV
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 3, 2021