House Fire Displaces 7 In Dale City: Authorities

DALE CITY, VA — A fire broke out at a home in Dale City on Monday morning, according to the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, which displaced five adults and two children.

Authorities said the fire began due to improperly discarded smoking materials.

The fire began around 12:20 a.m. on Monday morning at a home in the 14000 block of Danville Road in Dale City. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the residents had already evacuated and there was fire showing from the house, authorities said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but not before the structure sustained extensive damage, according to the fire department. The county's building official declared the home unsafe to occupy.

"Smoking materials should never be discarded in or around combustible materials. Smoking materials should be discarded using water or properly discarded into a non-combustible container to ensure extinguishment," the fire department said in a news release. "Smoking areas should be clearly marked and have appropriate means to safely discard smoking materials. During extreme dry conditions or periods of low humidity business owners and homeowners should consider keeping mulch moist by watering."