Two house fires in a little over 36 hours caused an estimated $861,000 damaged and resulted in a firefighter and an occupant of one home to be transported to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital with non-life threatening injures, according to Lt. Raul Castillo, public information officer, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, fire department units were dispatched to 3801 Maryland St. in Mount Vernon District. Upon arrival firefighters spotted fire coming from the basement and smoke coming from the eves and attic area of the two-story home.
A second alarm was sent bringing more than 60 firefighting personnel and multiple piece of equipment to the scene, according to Castillo. They brought the fire, which caused an estimated $547,000 damage, under control with 25 minutes.
Two adults were at home at the time of the fire. One adult female and one firefighter were transported to IMVH for treatment. Both residents were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross, Castillo reported. Cause of the fire remains under investigation.
ON MONDAY, November 5, FCF&R Department units responded to a house fire at 4335 Rolling Stone Way, in the Deer Run Crossing area, at approximately 1:40 p.m. There firefighters encountered fire visible through the attic and roof of the one-story home. They brought that blaze under control in approximately 20 minutes, according to Castillo.
The house was vacant and under renovation. The fire originated in the master bedroom and spread quickly throughout the entire structure, Castillo reported. There were no injuries but damage was estimated at $314,000.
The cause of the fire was determined accidental, according to fire investigators. A torch used to solder copper pipes was found to be the cause.
<sh>Sobriety Checkpoint Results
<bt>Fairfax County police officers from around the county conducted a sobriety checkpoint to deter and apprehend intoxicated drivers on Friday, Nov. 2, from midnight until 3 a.m. Saturday. All motorists were stopped, and drivers were checked to assure that their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Approximately 909 motorists were stopped in the southbound lanes of Richmond Highway near the intersection of Holly Hill Drive. One arrest was made for driving while intoxicated. Three traffic summonses were issued — two for driving without an operator’s license and one for driving on a suspended operator’s license. Eight officers and five auxiliary police officers participated in the checkpoint.