Linseed Oil Causes Fire In Newington Home

A fire started by a rag soaked with linseed oil started a house fire in Newington Monday, resulting in an estimated $626,562 in damages.

Around 10:57 a.m., Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services units arrived to find a fire coming from the garage extending to the attic in the in the 8500 block of Accotink Road. Firefighters needed extra fire hoses to extinguish the fire since two neighboring homes were close to the fire.

The residents were not home at the time of the fire. A neighbor had noticed the fire and called 911. No injuries occured.

Fire investigators say the fire originated in the garage, where the rag soaked with linseed oil was improperly thrown away. The fire caused minor thermal damage to the two neighboring homes. The residents have declined Red Cross assistance.

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue