Fireplace Ashes Thrown onto Apartment Balcony Causes Fire in Herndon: Firefighters

HERNDON, VA — A two-alarm fire at a garden-style apartment building in Herndon on Monday was caused by somebody discarding fireplace ashes onto the apartment's balcony, according to a report from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters were called to the 2500 block of Farmcrest Drive at around 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 12 to a report of a fire, and found a three-story building with "fire visible from the balcony of a third floor apartment," the report states.

After an exterior attack on the fire from ground level extinguished most of the flames, firefighters noticed it had extended into the attic of the building, resulting in a second alarm.

Firefighting crews brought a fire hose up to the third floor through the outside of an open stairwell and were able to douse those flames as well. A total of 60 firefighters ultimately responded to the scene. There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

One person was sent to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Two adults were displaced from the fire, and the Red Cross is assisting them.

"Fire Investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature," the report states. "It was caused by discarded fire place ashes onto the balcony that ignited nearby combustibles."

There was an estimated $40,000 in damage to the property.

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue