Improperly Disposed of Smoking Materials Cause Herndon Townhouse Fire

No one was injured in an accidental townhouse fire in Herndon on Monday, July 4. The fire occurred at about 1:15 p.m. in the 2400 block of Misty Dawn Court.

When firefighters arrived they found smoke and fire coming from the rear and light smoke coming from the front of the three-story townhouse. The fire was heaviest toward the back of the home near the deck area.

Firefighters conducted an outside sweep of the home with multiple hoses, taking out the outside portion of the fire. Then they initiated an interior attack on the fire and brought it under control, minimizing further damage.

The fire had already spread to the eaves and to the roof in the back of the home and there was some damage reported to adjacent townhouses. Three occupants were displaced because of the fire, and another four adults were displaced from adjacent units temporarily.

There were no injuries reported and damage is estimated at about $70,000. Fire investigators reported that the fire was accidental and started because improperly discarded smoking materials were left in a plastic container on the deck.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reminds area residents to completely douse butts and ashes with water before disposing them, because they can smolder and cause a fire; never smoke in bed; have large, deep ash trays on hand; check furniture for any dropped ashes before leaving the smoking area; empty ashes into a fireproof container with water or sand; never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used; keep matches and lighters out of children’s sight and reach; and keep smoking materials away from anything that can catch fire and burn.