Resident Displaced After Springfield Apartment Fire

SPRINGFIELD, VA — A Springfield area apartment fire was one of two fires within days caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

The fire broke out at a two-story apartment building around 12:27 p.m. Friday in the 6300 block of Beryl Road. Crews found smoke showing from the second floor and quickly put out the fire.

There were no injuries, but one resident was displaced. Damages were estimated to be Red Cross is assisting the displaced resident.

The other fire happened at a one-story commercial building in the 14100 block of Willard Road in Chantilly. The fire was contained by sprinklers, and no one was injured. Damages totaled an estimated $15,000.

In light of the fires, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue issued a reminder about safe use and disposal of smoking materials. Their safety tips are listed below.

• Do not throw out cigarette butts in potted planting soil, which can become highly flammable when it's too dry.
• Do not flick cigarettes into mulch or shrubbery. Instead, throw them away in a suitable ashtray or bucket with sand. Ensure designated outside smoking areas have an appropriate fireproof container, ashtray or bucket.
• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
• Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed.
• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn, such as mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture and draperies.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes, which are less likely to cause fires.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children’s sight and reach.