Crime & Safety

FCFRD News Blog : Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Cause Rose Hill House Fire

On Saturday, April 24, at approximately 9:02 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the City of Alexandria Fire ...

Press Release Desk's profile picture
Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

April 26, 2021

On Saturday, April 24, at approximately 9:02 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the City of Alexandria Fire Department were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 4500 block of Apple Tree Drive in the Rose Hill section of Fairfax County.

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Units arrived on the scene of a one-story, single family home with fire visible from the rear of the house. Crews worked rapidly to extinguish the fire. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

Three occupants were home at the time of the fire. One occupant smelled smoke and, upon investigation, discovered fire in the workshop. All occupant’s self-evacuated, along with three dogs, and called 9-1-1. Working smoke alarms did sound after the fire was discovered.

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in the workshop behind the garage. The cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking materials.

Three occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $30,000.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department urges all residents who smoke to “Sink It or Soak It!” and prevent careless fires! Please keep in mind the below safety tips as it relates to the proper disposal of smoking materials:

  • Never dispose of cigarette butts in potted planting soil. The soil, when it gets too dry, can become highly flammable.
  • Never flick cigarettes into mulch or shrubbery. Dispose of them in a suitable ashtray or bucket with sand. Ensure designated outside smoking areas have an appropriate fireproof container, ashtray or bucket.
  • Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
  • Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).
  • Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
  • If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires.
  • To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.

    • This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

    More from Reston