STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – A series of fires kept rescue crews in Stafford County busy on Monday.
Just before 2 p.m., flames broke out in the area of Greenspring Drive and Ridgecrest Court in North Stafford, in a townhouse community behind Walmart.
As fire and rescue crews arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke in a two-story town home, said Stafford Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Mark Doyle. They were able to extinguish the flames.
Before they arrived, the woman inside the home, Mirna Boggs, was able to get four children, including an infant, out of the home before the fire grew larger. Everyone escaped without injury.
The blaze was caused by someone who left burning food on the stove, said Doyle.
A fan was set up to clear the home of smoke, and once everything was under control, fire crews packed up their gear and left the scene.
About 30 minutes later, this time at an apartment complex off Village Parkway behind the Mary Washington University’s Graduate and Professional Center in southern Stafford County, fire crews were called for a report of smoke in an apartment home.
When they arrived, firefighters found food in an oven which was the cause of the smoke, said Doyle. Those inside the apartment escaped without injury.
It was also a busy weekend for fire and rescue crews who provide help to boaters on the Potomac River.
Stafford fire crews on Saturday were called to assist the Coast Guard which was dispatched to help a stranded boat off Aquia Landing, about 5 p.m.
Two county fire boats were called, including boat four from the Brooke Fire Station.
By the time Stafford’s boats arrived, the Coast Guard had already assisted the stranded boaters.
No one was injured.
Photo: Mirna Boggs is comforted by her neighbor Mariana Perez while Stafford fire fighters put out a kitchen fire in her home across the street. Mirna was able to get the four children out of the home after flames broke out. (Photo: Mary Davidson)
