FCFRD News Blog : Lightning Strike Cause Of Idylwood House Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

May 28, 2021

On Wednesday, May 26, at approximately 8:40 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and the Arlington County Fire Department were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 7700 block of Virginia Lane, in the Idylwood area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on the scene of a one and a half story, single family home with light smoke evident from the attic. As personnel ascended the interior stairs to gain access to the attic, fire began to show from the roof. Crews quickly brought the fire under control and extinguished it. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire. The occupants were in an upstairs bedroom when they heard thunder and saw lightning. The occupants heard a loud boom, and then smelled smoke. Both occupants evacuated the home and called 9-1-1. Smoke alarms did not sound due to the location of the fire.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was natural in nature and started on the exterior of the home. The cause of the fire was a lightning strike.

Two occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $42,500.

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