Two women rescued from a burning Manassas townhouse have died from their injuries, officials confirmed Monday.
Firefighters were dispatched at 1:37 p.m. to the 7900 block of Flager Circle, where heavy smoke was pouring from a three-story townhouse. Crews learned that two adult females were trapped on the second floor. Firefighters rushed inside, carried the victims down the stairs, and brought them outside for treatment. Both were transported to a nearby hospital but later died.
“Just after midnight on Thursday, November 27, SCFR units were dispatched for a reported structure fire in the 200 block of Sandy Ridge Road (in the White Oak area),” Stafford County Fire and Rescue reported. “Units arrived six minutes later to find two, connected outbuildings well involved with fire.”
A house fire in Dumfries on Saturday afternoon, November 16, 2025, forced five adults from their home after flames broke out on the backside of the residence in the 3000 block of Desert Palm Court. Fire crews arrived around 1:21 p.m. to find moderate fire damage. No one was hurt, but the house was declared unsafe to occupy.
Investigators say a buildup of lint in the dryer vent sparked the fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to have dryer vent lines professionally cleaned once a year to prevent similar hazards.
Crews arrived within minutes to find heavy fire coming from the side and rear of a two-story home. Firefighters battled challenging conditions, including strong winds, flaring propane tanks, and unstable interior floors. All residents evacuated safely before crews arrived, and no injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is helping the displaced family.
The fire is under investigation. The Fredericksburg Fire Department and Quantico Fire & Emergency Services assisted on scene.
Stafford County has issued a ban on all open-air burning for Sunday, November 16, due to high fire danger caused by dry conditions and gusty winds. The county Fire Marshal issued the order as a precaution to prevent wildfires.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Red Flag Warning, in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday, for much of Northern and Central Virginia, including Stafford County. Forecasters expect northwest winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph in some areas, combined with very low humidity levels—ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread quickly.
A major house fire broke out early Saturday morning in Lake Ridge, displacing seven people but causing no injuries.
Fire crews were called to the 19200 block of Luca Station Way, near Old Bridge Elementary School, at 2:44 a.m. and found heavy flames emanating from the garage, which were spreading into the home. All residents had safely evacuated before firefighters arrived. A second alarm was briefly issued due to the fire’s intensity and reports that someone might still be inside, but those units were quickly returned to service.
A damaged gas line led to the evacuation of 82 residents from their Lake Ridge homes on Wednesday night. Crews responded just before 9:40 p.m. to the intersection of Oakwood Drive and Catania Place after a 3-inch natural gas pipe was struck during excavation work.
Due to the leak, residents from approximately 65 townhomes were taken to Woodbridge High School for temporary shelter. Most were able to return home or find other accommodations by midnight after Washington Gas secured the leak. However, 32 residents, including two children, required overnight shelter from the Red Cross due to continued loss of heat in their homes.
Firefighters from Fredericksburg and neighboring counties battled a commercial fire Monday morning on Princess Anne Street. The blaze damaged five garage bays and sent thick smoke into the air behind the old Coca-Cola building.
Crews arrived just after 10 a.m. and found flames coming from two garage units. They quickly deployed hose lines and cut into the roof to help control the fire. A dog was rescued from the scene, and no injuries were reported.
“It is with great pride that we honor Deputy Chief Kevin Franzello for 25 years of distinguished service to the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department,” City of Manassas stated. “His unwavering commitment to the men and women of this department, and to the community we serve, has not gone unnoticed.”
The City expressed gratitude for Franzello’s leadership and professionalism, adding that “while the mustache may be gone, his leadership, professionalism, and passion for the job remains stronger than ever.” Officials congratulated him on “this incredible milestone” marking 25 years of dedicated service.
“The whole blood program, developed in collaboration with Inova Blood Donor Services, embodies the community spirit of neighbor helping neighbor,” Chief Tom LaBelle of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System stated. “Each contribution from a community member enables EMS and hospital teams to work together to save the lives of others in their time of greatest need.”
In the coming months, the county’s Fire and Rescue System will deploy three vehicles stocked with whole blood, strategically positioned in the east, west, and mid-county areas. The units will operate around the clock and undergo quarterly recertification to maintain readiness.
