Fire and Rescue Archives - Page 6 of 22

Published February 17, 2025 at 10:38AM | Updated February 17, 2025 at 11:01AM

Sentara Lake Ridge, a standalone emergency facility, is now accepting ambulance patients as of February 4, 2025, expanding emergency medical access in eastern Prince William County. Previously, emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles were required to take patients to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, a Level III Trauma Center.

This expansion aims to address the region’s growing healthcare needs and alleviate pressure on SNVMC’s emergency department, which treated over 50,000 patients in 2024. SLR, which served more than 23,600 walk-in patients last year, has invested in staff training and medical equipment to support this transition.

Manassas

Fire Engulfs Home on Waterford Drive in Manassas; Firefighter Injured

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 15, 2025 at 3:49PM

A two-story home on Waterford Drive in Manassas was engulfed in flames Friday evening, prompting a multi-agency response from area fire and rescue teams.

The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department reported that units were dispatched to the 10200 block of Waterford Drive around 5 p.m. on February 14, 2025, after multiple 911 callers reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the single-family home.

News

Police & Fire Blotter: Incidents Reported Across Prince William, Stafford, and Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 11, 2025 at 9:41PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:17PM

Law enforcement and emergency responders in Prince William County, Stafford County, and the City of Manassas handled multiple incidents over the past several days, including a house fire that displaced a family in Woodbridge, two shooting investigations, drug-related arrests, and a series of disturbances and crimes.

On February 10 at approximately 8:30 p.m., fire crews responded to a house fire on the 3000 block of Fillmore Drive in Woodbridge. Flames broke out in the home’s laundry room, causing moderate damage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported. The home was deemed unsafe for occupancy, and two adults and one child were displaced. The Red Cross is providing assistance. The Fire Marshal confirmed the fire started in the laundry room, though the cause remains under investigation.

News

House Roof Collapses as Fire Crews Work to Douse Blaze

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2025 at 8:20AM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:26AM

Press release:

At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.

News

Safeguarding Stafford: Fire and Rescue’s Approach to Preventing Brush Fire Damage

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 23, 2025 at 10:03PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:16AM

Stafford experienced several brush fires in 2024.

Inspired by the devastating wildfires in California that have affected over 38,600 acres and led to evacuation orders for 88,000 residents as of Jan. 15, we reached out to Stafford County’s Fire and Rescue team to explore how they get ready for wildfires in this area.

A wildfire outbreak began in California on January 7, 2025 and continues as of Jan., 23. Over 47,000 acres have burned, with a new fire starting yesterday in Hughes County. Over 16,000 structures have burned due to wildfires in 2025.

Fredericksburg

Updated: Investigators Unable to Determine Cause of Eagle Village Shopping Center Blaze

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:53PM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 1:11PM

Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge.

In Fredericksburg, the December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause.

News

Busy Week for Firefighters: House Fire, Truck Blaze, and Hotel Rescue

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 20, 2025 at 12:56PM

It’s been a busy few days for area fire departments, with crews responding to several significant incidents. Here’s a recap of the latest:

Units rushed to the 13500 block of Haversack Lane in Woodbridge last night after neighbors reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found flames pouring from the rear of a single-family home. Fortunately, the house was unoccupied at the time, but it sustained severe damage and has been deemed unsafe by the Building Official.

News

Stay Off Local Ice – Unsafe Conditions Highlighted by Fire and Rescue Officials

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 9, 2025 at 5:05PM

The Prince William County Fire and Rescue System warns residents to stay off naturally occurring ice on local waters, as it is often too thin and weak for safe outdoor activities. Unlike ice in colder northern climates, ice in this area is prone to cracks, instability, and variability due to fluctuating temperatures, moving water, and wildlife activity.

Key dangers include rapid ice deterioration, which can outpace its formation, and the risk of falling into icy waters, where hypothermia can occur in less than 10 minutes, making rescues extremely time-sensitive.

News

Chief LaBelle on Winter Storm: ‘Stay Off the Roads, Stay Safe’

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 5, 2025 at 11:49AM | Updated January 5, 2025 at 12:29PM

Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle

As Northern Virginia braces for one of the most significant winter storms in years, Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle urges residents to take safety precautions and avoid unnecessary risks. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and dangerously cold temperatures, with snowfall rates possibly reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Chief LaBelle emphasized that preparation and caution are key as the storm approaches. “If you can stay off the roads, stay off the roads,” he said. “It allows the cleanup crews to move more quickly and get this mess gone as soon as possible. If you must drive, remember that bridges freeze first, and maintaining more distance between vehicles and driving slower makes everything safer.”

Breaking News

Fire at Eagle Village Shopping Center in Fredericksburg

By Potomac Local News

Published December 5, 2024 at 5:04PM | Updated December 5, 2024 at 5:21PM

A fire broke out at the Eagle Village Shopping Center, located at 1245 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg, at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

The Fredericksburg Fire and Rescue Department responded to the scene, with additional assistance from Stafford County Fire and Rescue, Spotsylvania Fire and Rescue, King George Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management, and Naval District Washington (NDW) Dahlgren.