McLean House Fire Causes $3.5M In Damages, 1 Injury

MCLEAN, VA — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said one person went to the hospital during the three-alarm fire on Monday, March 2. The fire was determined to cause around $3,523,850 in damages and displaced seven residents.

The seven residents evacuated before the fire department arrived at the single-family home in the 800 block of Dolley Madison Boulevard. One resident found the fire upon hearing a loud crackling noise and seeing smoke coming from the top floor light switch and outlets. Another resident unsuccessfully tried to put out a fire in the basement.

Firefighters responded to the scene around 5:51 p.m. and found the fire between the first and second floor extending upward. Units evacuated and moved their fire attack to the outside as fire began to extend to the roof. In addition, units faced the challenge inaccessible spaces in remodeled areas of the home. Crews used master streams and handlines to continue extinguishing the fire from outside.

One resident was taken to the hospital for evaluation, and there were no firefighter injuries.

Investigators traced the fire back to the basement. The cause was determined to be an electrical event with the wiring to the air handler, which spread to ordinary combustibles nearby.

The seven displaced residents declined Red Cross assistance.