Rose Hill Apartment Fire Sends 2 To Hospital, Cause Identified

ROSE HILL, VA — A fire at a Rose Hill apartment building Wednesday morning injured two people and displaced two people, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Around 5:33 a.m., units from Fairfax County and Alexandria responded to the 6200 block of Rose Hill Drive and found fire showing on arrival. The three-story, garden apartment had fire on the third-floor balcony extending into the apartment and attic space. Crews quickly put out the fire and rescued a semi-conscious cat. Two people went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no firefighter injuries. The cat went to a medic crew for treatment.

One resident had discovered the fire on the balcony before the fire alarm activated. The resident attempted to put out the fire before evacuating and calling 911. All residents in the building evacuated due to the fire alarm.

Investigators determined an improperly discarded smoking material in a flowerpot caused the fire on the third floor balcony. Damages were estimated to be $125,000.

Two residents from two apartments were displaced. Red Cross assistance was accepted.