FCFRD News Blog : Unattended Candle Cause Of Herndon House Fire

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

June 28, 2021

On Friday, June 25, at approximately 12:00 p.m., units were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 13000 block of Farthingale Drive in the Herndon area of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on scene of split level, single family home with smoke showing from the second floor. Crews located a small fire in a bedroom. The fire was quickly extinguished. One occupant was transported to the hospital for an evaluation. No firefighter injuries reported.

Three occupants were home at the time of the fire. One of the occupants was awoken by the smell of smoke. Upon further investigation, she observed a fire on the glass vanity in the bedroom. All three occupants self-evacuated and 9-1-1 was called. The fire was discovered prior to smoke alarm sounding.

Fire Investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature and started in one of the bedrooms. The cause of the fire was an unattended lit candle.

Three occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered but declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $20,000.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind residents to avoid the dangers of fire while burning candles to please follow the safety tips listed below:

•           Never leave burning candles unattended

•           Keep all combustible materials away from open flames

•           Do not burn candles near windows or doorways

•           Place candles in glass or ceramic containers

•           Place candles on a flat, sturdy non-combustible surface

•           Never leave candles burning when children or pets are present

This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.