BRISTOW, Va. – The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue just celebrated a major milestone for its newest recruits. On Wednesday, May 7, Recruit Class 2024-3 officially graduated in a ceremony held at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow.
According to a press release from the department, the ceremony was led by Battalion Chief Scott Arft and honored 26 individuals who completed 30 weeks of demanding training. Their preparation included over 1,500 hours of instruction in fire response, emergency medical services, and specialized rescue techniques at the Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville.
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DALE CITY, Va. – In honor of National Volunteer Month, Dunkin’ showed appreciation for local heroes at the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department by delivering a sweet surprise on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
From 10 to 11 a.m., firefighters at Station 13 on Hillendale Drive were treated to free coffee, donuts, and $5 Dunkin’ promo cards. The event highlighted Dunkin’s ongoing commitment to recognizing community service and supporting first responders who go above and beyond.
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Stafford County Fire and Rescue units responded to a structure fire at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. Crews arrived about eight minutes later to find heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a two-story, single-family residence. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. The sole occupant evacuated safely and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Here’s the full press release:
Overnight Fire Damages Stafford Home
Stafford, VA—At approximately 11:40 P.M. on Sunday, April 27th, Stafford County Fire and Rescue units (SCFR) responded for a structure fire in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. First arriving units marked on scene approximately 8 minutes later and reported heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a large, two-story, single-family residence. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire, despite structural instability, and brought the structure fire under control in approximately 40 minutes.
The single occupant of the residence was able to evacuate prior to the arrival of units and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency.
The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
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A fire on Easter evening displaced five residents from a single-family home in the 400 block of Smith Street, near Brooke Road in Stafford County. Fire and rescue crews from Stafford and Fredericksburg responded to the scene just before 6 p.m. and quickly brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
One person was home at the time and safely evacuated after being alerted by neighbors. Two individuals were treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Press Release
For Immediate Release – April 20, 2025Five Displaced After Structure Fire
Stafford, VA—Just before 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 20th, units from Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) and the Fredericksburg Fire Department responded for a structure fire in the 400 block of Smith Street near the intersection of Brooke Road. First arriving units marked on scene approximately 5 minutes later and reported smoke coming from the front of a single-story, single-family residence. Further investigation revealed fire in the back of the residence. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and brought the structure fire under control in less than 20 minutes.The residence was occupied at the time of the fire by one occupant, who was able to evacuate prior to the arrival of units. In total, five people were displaced. The single occupant at the time of the fire was alerted by two neighbors. Those individuals were evaluated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. The occupants of the residence are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photo courtesy: Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department
Updated 1:35 p.m.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal townhouse fire Thursday morning in Woodbridge as 73-year-old Narendar Kumar Jain.
Fire and rescue units were dispatched at 6:22 a.m. on April 17, 2025, to the 14100 block of Madrigal Drive, behind BJ’s Wholesale Club on Worth Avenue, after a neighbor reported smoke coming from an adjoining home. When crews arrived, they found smoke showing from the townhouse and began search operations.
Jain, the sole occupant of the home, was found inside and removed by firefighters. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators also discovered the circuit breaker to the home’s smoke detectors was in the “off” position. Fire officials noted that while it’s unclear whether functioning smoke detectors would have changed the outcome in this case, they emphasized the critical role smoke detectors play in saving lives.
“Smoke detectors offer the best protection for you and your family to alert to a fire and allow ample time to safely escape the area,” Prince William County Fire and Rescue stated in a release. “Everyone should routinely check their smoke detectors and change batteries on a regular basis.”
The fire was quickly extinguished, and no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office.
MANASSAS, Va. — Firefighters from the City of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County responded to an apartment fire this afternoon at 8872 Oliver Court, just off Liberia Avenue, where smoke was seen billowing from a second-story unit in a three-story building.
The fire broke out in a bedroom on the second floor shortly before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. According to Manassas Fire Chief Edward Mills, the unit was unoccupied at the time. Crews arriving at the scene reported smoke showing but no visible flames from outside.
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BRISTOW, Va. — A pickup truck driver was hospitalized Tuesday morning after a collision with an Amtrak train near the Bristow Road railroad crossing, just south of Manassas.
According to Prince William County Fire and Rescue, the crash occurred at 9:21 a.m. on April 15, 2025. A southbound Amtrak train had departed Manassas Station only minutes before when it struck a privately owned pickup truck at the crossing on Bristow Road, east of Nokesville Road.
Emergency crews arrived quickly on the scene and extricated the driver from the vehicle. The driver was then transported by ground to a regional medical facility. Authorities have not yet released the driver’s name or condition.
“There were no injuries reported on the train,” officials with Fire and Rescue said in a statement.
Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods confirmed that Train 151, traveling from New York to Roanoke, was involved in the collision.
“At approximately 9:20 a.m. ET, an occupied vehicle obstructing the track came into contact with the train in Manassas, Va.,” said Woods. “There have been no reported injuries to the 137 passengers or crew onboard. Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.”
The crash caused delays along the busy passenger rail corridor as emergency personnel cleared the scene and began the investigation. Local law enforcement has not yet released additional details about what caused the vehicle to be on the tracks at the time of the collision.
Photo courtesy of Prince William County Fire and Rescue.
A small plane crashed Wednesday afternoon in a residential area of Spotsylvania County, marking the third major emergency response in the region this week.
Virginia State Police say the crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. in the 11000 block of Scarlett Oak Road, in the Chancellor area of the county, about six miles west of the Spotsylvania Towne Centre mall.
The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft, had departed from Leesburg and was en route to Hampton Roads when the pilot reported an oil pressure issue and attempted to make an emergency landing in a nearby field. The plane crashed near Chancellor Road, with the roof of the aircraft becoming lodged in a tree.
Two people were on board at the time. According to state police, both were taken to Mary Washington Hospital with minor injuries.
Images provided by Virginia State Police show the plane severely damaged in a wooded area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will conduct a full investigation.
Friday’s crash follows a week of intense activity for first responders in Spotsylvania County. On Wednesday, a mass shooting tied to an illegal gun sale left three people dead and resulted in charges against four suspects. One day earlier, a child brought a loaded handgun into a third-grade classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School, prompting criminal charges against the child’s parents.
This is a developing story. Stay with Potomac Local News for updates.
Emergency crews remained on scene late into the evening Monday after a major gas leak was reported at the QTS data center just outside the City of Manassas.
Prince William County Fire and Rescue was dispatched to 9540 Godwin Drive at 2:10 p.m. for reports of a gas leak. As of 9 p.m., units were still actively working the scene.
Spokesman Matt Smolsky said the leak involved an 8-inch gas line, which significantly prolonged containment efforts.
“Takes time to isolate and secure leaks of that size,” Smolsky said. “Units are protecting the scene regarding escaping vapors and scene safety.”
There were no immediate reports of injuries or evacuations, but emergency personnel continued to monitor the area for potential hazards.
The QTS data center sits near Godwin Drive, across from Mircon Technologies, and is part of the region’s growing technology infrastructure.
This is a developing story. Check back with Potomac Local News for updates.
A fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in a Woodbridge townhouse could have turned into a devastating incident—but thanks to a working sprinkler system, it was largely brought under control before it could spread.
At around 4 p.m. on March 26, 2025, fire and rescue crews were dispatched to the 14700 block of Mason Creek Circle, near Potomac Library on Opitz Boulevard, for reports of a townhouse fire. When units arrived, they found a fire at the rear of a set of double-stacked townhomes, with flames stretching from the ground level up to the attic.
According to a report from Prince William County Fire and Rescue, the exterior sprinkler head of the home’s built-in system had already activated and was effectively controlling the blaze before crews arrived.
“This is an excellent example of today’s building and fire codes preventing a much more serious incident,” the department noted in a statement. “Property damage was limited, life safety was enhanced, and firefighting efforts were reduced. Sprinklers save lives and property.”
Firefighters quickly completed extinguishment. Officials confirmed no injuries and that the fire had not extended into adjacent townhomes.
However, the fire caused enough damage that the Building Official declared two homes unsafe to occupy. Three adults and one child were displaced, and the American Red Cross is assisting them.
The Fire Marshal’s Office investigated and determined that the fire was caused by an electrical event at the electric meter located at the rear of the home.
