FCFRD News Blog : Lightning Strike Cause Of Lake Barcroft House Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

September 4, 2021

On Wednesday, September 1, at approximately 3:18 a.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the Arlington County Fire Department, and the City of Alexandria Fire Department responded for a house fire in the 3400 block of Upside Court in the Lake Barcroft area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home and located a fire in the basement. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire. There were no civilian injuries. One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to a local hospital.

Three occupants were home at the time of the fire. An occupant was awakened by the smoke alarm sounding. When he opened his bedroom door, he discovered thick, black smoke coming from the first floor. He notified the rest of his family and all self-evacuated. After safely exiting the home, the occupant called 9-1-1.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was natural in nature and started in the basement utility room. The cause of the fire was a lightning strike.

Three occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $120,000.

This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.