Updated: Investigators Work To Find Cause Of Shirlington Fire

Updated (May 24, 10:45 a.m.): This story was updated with information provided by the public information officer for Arlington County Fire & EMS.

ARLINGTON, VA — Fire personnel from Arlington County Fire & EMS extinguished a large apartment fire Monday morning, according to Taylor Blunt, public information officer for ACFD.

Firefighters were dispatched after receiving a 911 call around 5:50 a.m., reporting an apartment fire at The Citizen in Shirlington Village in 3000 block of S Randolph Street, according to Blunt.

"We had crews respond within four minutes," he said. "The encountered heavy fire coming from the roof of the building. They were able to make access."

Due to the complexity and the spread of the fire through the attic of the building, Blunt said ACFD called in support from the Alexandria Fire Department and the Fort Myer Fire Department as a precaution. With their assistance, firefighters were able to evacuate residents and extinguish the blaze in about an hour.

The fire displaced an estimated 40-60 residents of The Citizen, according to Blunt. Around 9:49, ACPD began letting residents back into the building. Approximately 16 units remained blocked off and inaccessible to occupants.

"We still have fire investigators and fire marshals on the scene, investigating the fire," Blunt said, around 10:30 a.m. He added that the cause of the fire and the amount of damage have not yet been determined.

Blunt said no firefighters were injured, and one resident received minor injuries but declined to be transported to the hospital for treatment.

#FinalUpdate Residents at 3000 S Randolph St have been allowed back into unaffected areas of the building. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Expect building and road access to remain restricted while the investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/naT6WUxUVf
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 24, 2021

Breaking: Units operating on a structure fire on the 3000 block of S Randolph Street. Avoid the area if possible pic.twitter.com/EkIvvwZ6n5
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 24, 2021