Five apartment units were damaged in a three-alarm fire at Vienna Park Apartments Tuesday afternoon. At about 2:30 p.m., a call was received saying that there was a fire in one of the apartments at 150 Patrick St., S.E., and over 90 personnel were ultimately dispatched from various Fairfax County fire departments, said Lt. Raul Castillo, public information officer for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. Castillo said 18 residents had been displaced by the fire. According to a release from the fire department, an additional 47 residents were displaced due to a lack of utilities affecting units at 148, 152 and 154 Patrick St. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.
One firefighter was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to fire investigators, the fire was started accidentally by a welder using a torch on the first level. Damage is estimated at $300,000.
— Mike DiCicco