Blaze Caused By Fire Ashes Displaces Residents In Kingstowne Area

Discarded ashes ignited a fire at a Kingstowne area home Sunday, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says. Four residents were displaced, but no one was injured.

Firefighters from Fairfax County and Fort Belvoir responded to the 6600 block of Morning View Court around 3:18 p.m. Sunday. Fire had been showing from the outside of the two-story townhouse and extending to the interior walls and attic.

The four residents were home when the fire broke out. A passerby found the fire outside the home and alerted the residents. All residents safely escaped before firefighters arrived.

Investigators pinpointed the origin of the fire to a trash can on the side of the home. The trash can contained improperly discarded ashes from a fire pit.

The residents have declined Red Cross assistance. Damage estimates are initially $10,500.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department offers the following tips for safely discarding ashes:

• Do not discard your ashes into any combustible container such as a paper or plastic bag, a cardboard box, or a plastic trash can.
• Do not place ash containers on decks, porches, or in garages.
• Put ashes into a non-combustible metal container with a lid.
• Pour water into the container to make sure the ashes are cool.
• Keep your can outside the home, away from your fireplace or stove and anything combustible.
• Teach all family members to be safe with ashes from your fireplace or wood stove.

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue