Fire Starts On Screened Porch In Old Town Alexandria Home

ALEXANDRIA, VA — No one was injured when a fire started on a screened porch in Old Town Alexandria Wednesday morning.

Around 6:15 a.m., the fire department was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of South St. Asaph Street. Units encountered smoke and fire showing from the roof level of the building in the rear, and a second alarm was requested. According to fire department spokesperson Raytevia Evans, residents had evacuated before fire department arrival.

Firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire on the third floor. The fire had spread from the third floor screened porch, burned through the roof, and damaged a neighbor's roof.

A fire marshal investigation determined the fire started in a gas fire place on the third floor screened porch. The cause involved combustibles that were close to the active fireplace accidentally left on overnight. The fire department estimated damages to be $110,000.

Smoke detectors had alerted the residents to the fire before they evacuated. The residents found alternative accommodations, and the neighbors were able to reoccupy their homes after the incident.