Within the past year "large loss" fires in Fairfax County have escalated more than 150 percent. Most of these have been residential fires. And, most were preventable.
That was the message delivered by Chief Michael P. Neuhard, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department at a fire safety alert briefing last Thursday morning. It was held at 7602 Southern Oak Drive in the Lorton area, the site of a three-alarm townhouse fire on Dec. 8, 2004 that resulted in approximately $940,000 in property damage, according to the department.
"December 2004 was a very active month for us in Fairfax County. In 2003 we had a total of 10 large loss fires that resulted in $1.8 million. In December 2004 the large loss fire count rose to 26 and total losses in personal property damages was $11.5 million,” Neuhard said.
"All of these fires were determined to be accidental and all were preventable. Many involved such things as home fireplaces, improper storage of flammable liquids, and placing combustible materials too close to a heating source," he said. Twenty-three of the total occurred in private residences.
"In several of the incidents, residents tried to fight the fire themselves before calling 911. Always call 911 first when there is a fire regardless of its size," said Daniel L. Schmidt, PIO, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Battalion Chief Michael Reilly, Fire Prevention and Assistant Fire Marshall, demonstrated how some accidental fires start and what residents can do to prevent them. "Education and awareness is essential in reducing accidental fires and their associated injuries," Schmidt said.
In addition to the marked increase in property damage, Fairfax County had 10 fire fatalities during 2004. That is the highest number in recent history, according to departmental records.