3-Alarm Warehouse Fire Causes $5M In Damages In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The massive Alexandria warehouse fire that drew over 100 firefighters had an electrical cause and resulted in $ million in damages.

The fire happened on the night of Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 4407 Wheeler Avenue, a commercial strip warehouse where numerous businesses are located. Around 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 2, units responded to a fire alarm at the warehouse that was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire, drawing in more than 100 firefighters from the Alexandria Fire Department and surrounding localities. One firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and was released.

Firefighters stayed overnight to tackle hotspots in the collapsed building. The investigation took three days, as the collapsed building was initially deemed unsafe to enter. Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was electrical.

The warehouse has been condemned due to damages. The fire department estimated the fire caused about $1.5 million in structural damage and $3.5 million in damage to businesses in the commercial strip warehouse. The estimated property saved was $696,720. One of the affected businesses, Jeffery’s Catering, is a provider for the Meals on Wheels program and is continuing services in another location.

The Alexandria Fire Marshal's office investigation into the warehouse fire received help from the Arlington County and Fairfax County fire departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, George Mason University and Fairfax City Fire Department Drone Team.