6 Displaced After West Springfield Townhouse Fire

WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA — Six people were displaced after a fire at a West Springfield townhouse Tuesday, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

The fire happened around 12:10 p.m. in the 8700 block of Ridge Hollow Court. Units found light smoke coming from the first floor of the middle-unit townhouse. Crews quickly found and extinguished the fire in the kitchen. No extension was found.

There were no resident or firefighter injuries. Three people were home when the fire occurred. One resident discovered the fire in the kitchen and alerted the others. All evacuated and called 911. Smoke alarms had activated after the fire was found.

Investigators determined the cause of the fire was cooking oil igniting from an unattended pot left on the stove top in the kitchen. Damages were estimated to be $62,500.

• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire or get caught on pot handles.
• Keep things that can catch fire such as dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet away from the stove.
• Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Turn pot handles inward, facing the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.
• Pot holders or oven mitts prevent burns when handling hot dishes.
• Regularly clean your cooking equipment so that there are no cooking materials, food items or grease accumulation.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.