Reston Townhouse Catches Fire After Someone Throws Away 'Smoldering Materials'

RESTON, VA — A townhouse in Reston caught fire after someone threw away something that was smoldering, and the occupants weren't alerted because the smoke alarm was disabled, according to a report from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 11500 block of Hearthstone Court at around 10:38 p.m. on Nov. 15 to a report of a townhouse fire. When firefighters arrived, they saw fire showing from a second-floor window of a three-level end unit townhouse.

Three people who lived in the home had gotten out before the arrival of firefighters, who brought the blaze under control less than 12 minutes after arriving, according to the report.

"The occupants were alerted to the fire when one individual saw smoke while in the kitchen," the report states. "One battery operated smoke alarm was located on the second level of the home but did not activate. An examination of the smoke alarm revealed it was disabled (battery not connected). There were no other smoke alarms observed inside the home."

Fire investigators ruled the cause of the fire as "accidental as a result of improper disposal of smoking materials."

Total damage to the home was estimated at $18,750. The three men who lived in the house have been displaced and required Red Cross assistance.

Image via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue