Fair Lakes Fire Displaces 4, Causes $463K In Damage

FAIR LAKES, VA — An early morning townhouse fire in Fair Lakes caused more than $463,000 in damage and displaced four people, according to a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department blog post.

Fire units from both Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax responded around 8:38 a.m., on Sunday, for the report of a townhouse fire in the 4200 block of Zouave Lane in the Fair Lakes area of the county.

Arriving units found a large volume of fire extending through the roof and from the second floor of a three-story, end unit townhouse, according to the blog post. After a second alarm was sent out, the fire was brought quickly under control. One firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries. No injuries to civilians were reported.

A preliminary investigation revealed that no one was home when the fire broke out. A neighbor reported the incident after seeing black smoke and flames coming from the home, according to the blog post.

Red Cross offered assistance to the four people displaced by the fire, which was accepted.

Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by improperly disposed rags, which had been soaked with an oil wood stain. Damage to the townhome was estimated at about $463,365.

Heat from the fire caused cosmetic damage to two nearby townhouses, which is not included in the estimated damage above.

UPDATE - Fair Lakes Townhouse Fire Displaces Four. City of Fairfax Fire Department assisted. Cause: improper disposal of rags soaked with an oil wood stain. More: https://t.co/R1cGeDM3uD #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/LkQcOzCKVY
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) June 21, 2021