<sh>Fire Causes $100,000 Damage
<bt>A fire at a Centreville townhouse, early Friday morning, caused an estimated $100,000 damage, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fire officials say the cause of the accidental blaze was "improper disposal of smoking materials."
The incident occurred July 22, around 12:05 a.m., at 5309 Rosemallow Circle in the Faircrest community. When firefighters arrived on the scene, fire and smoke were showing from the rear and sides of the three-story townhouse.
Conducting an aggressive attack, they were able to bring the flames under control in about 25 minutes. Responding were firefighters from both Centreville fire stations, plus the Fair Oaks and Chantilly stations.
The townhouse was an end unit, and the fire was contained to that one home. Three adults were displaced, and the American Red Cross assisted them; no one was injured.
<sh>Brookfield Fire Under Investigation
<bt>Fairfax County fire officials are still investigating the cause of a Tuesday-morning blaze that destroyed a building in the backyard of a Chantilly home, displaced three adults and two children and killed two dogs.
Units from the Chantilly and Fair Oaks fire stations responded, July 26, around 3:55 a.m. to 4208 Kincaid Court in the Brookfield community. Upon arrival, firefighters saw fire and smoke coming from behind the two-story house there and discovered an outside building, about 12x16-feet, fully engulfed in flames.
Since the building was in close proximity to the home's garage, the fire also extended to the house, itself, causing damage to both the kitchen and garage. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 25 minutes.
Said fire department spokesman Dan Schmidt: "We were able to knock the fire down and keep it from spreading too much." He said the family used the outside building for recreation (watching TV). According to the fire department, it was a complete loss. The total amount of damage was estimated at $50,000.
<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, July 28, from 5-9 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. They'll make sure the seats are correct for the child’s age and height, the child is securely placed in the seat and the seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves, so the technicians may properly inspect and make adjustments, as necessary. Call the Sully District Child Seat Information line (703-814-7000, ext. 5140) to confirm dates and time. For additional child seat inspection times throughout Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Operations Support Bureau at 703-280-0559.
<sh>Cub Run, Bull Run Draft Watershed-Plan Workshops
<bt>Fairfax County wants to restore streams and water quality, and several projects are being proposed to accomplish this goal in the Cub Run and Bull Run Watershed. The county's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has created a draft Watershed Plan and is seeking the public's input on it. The plan may be viewed at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/watersheds.
Two identical forums are also being held so residents may learn more about the proposals and how they could affect their communities — especially those with stormwater-control facilities or ponds. They'll also be able to comment on the draft plan and help develop the final plan which the county will implement. The forums will be held Thursday, July 28, from 7-9:30 p.m., at Bull Run Elementary, 15301 Lee Highway in Centreville; and Monday, Aug. 1, from 7-9:30 p.m., at Rocky Run Middle School, 4400 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.
<sh>Clifton Town Council Mtg.
<bt>The next meeting of the Clifton Town Council will be Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m., in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton.
<sh>VDOT, Supervisors Talk Roads
<bt>Want to comment on VDOT's proposed, Six-Year Secondary System Construction Program for Fiscal Years 2006-2011 — and the Secondary System Construction Budget for Fiscal Year 2006? Citizens may do so next Monday, Aug. 1, at 4:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.
That's when VDOT and the county Board of Supervisors will hold a joint public hearing on these matters. Copies of the proposed program and budget may be reviewed at VDOT's office at 14685 Avion Parkway, Suite 200, in Chantilly, or at the Fairfax County Department of Transportation at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1034, in Fairfax.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.