Elderly Woman Found Dead After Alexandria Fire

ALEXANDRIA, VA—An elderly woman was found dead after an Alexandria apartment building fire Sunday, July 7.

The fire broke out in the 6000 block of Edsall Road. Units from Alexandria and Fairfax County responded around 5:26 a.m. and found the blaze in a ground-level-apartment. The caller who discovered the fire was instructed to pull the fire alarm to alert other building residents.

The victim was found dead in the apartment where the fire started. The medical examiner is working to confirm the cause of death.

Fire marshals determined improperly discarded smoking materials likely caused the fire in the apartment's bedroom. The Alexandria Fire Department urged residents to exercise caution to prevent similar fires.

"If you choose to smoke, always smoke outside and extinguish your cigarettes and other smoking materials by putting water on the ashes and butts to make sure they’re completely out before placing it in the proper receptacle," said Acting Fire Chief Corey Smedley.

Damages to the unit were estimated to be $225,000. No one was displaced from the building.