FCFRD News Blog : Unattended Candle Cause Of Herndon House Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

August 4, 2021

On Tuesday, August 3, at approximately 10:56 a.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department, were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 400 block of Pickett Lane in the Town of Herndon.

Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home with smoke showing from the second floor. Crews were able to rapidly extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, during search and rescue operations, one dog was found deceased on the second floor. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

One occupant was home at the time of the fire. The occupant observed smoke coming from the vents and, upon investigation, observed fire on the second floor. He self-evacuated and called 9-1-1. There were no working smoke alarms present in the home.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started on the second floor. The fire was caused by an unattended candle left burning.

Seven occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red cross assistance was offered and accepted. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $50,000.  

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