Fairfax County Prosecutor's Brother Dies In Fire

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—The victim of a Sunday house fire in Woodbridge has been identified as James "Jimmy" Patrick Morrogh, the brother of Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Morrogh.

Police received a call of a house fire at the 1500 block of Walnut Street just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Prince William County firefighters Fire crews found Morrogh, 62, inside, and he was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy confirmed he died in the fire, and no foul play is suspected. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"My brother's death was accidental. It probably had to do with a faulty wire in the wall that arced. He was killed attempting to escape the flames," Ray Morrogh told WUSA9.

Ray Morrogh said his brother had a hard life, and he was bullied and beaten by gang members when they were growing up in Long Island, N.Y. He believes one gang attack left Jimmy brain damaged, and these encounters motivated Ray to go into law. He has been serving in Fairfax County since 1983 and took on the Commonwealth's Attorney role in 2007.

Fire officials continue to investigate the fire's cause.