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.
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.
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.”
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.
House Fire
Thursday, December 5, 2024
After a complete evaluation of the building, the Building Official has determined only one (1) condo unit is unsafe to occupy. From this determination, only one (1) occupant will be displaced from the incident.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
Townhouse Fire
Friday, November 29, 2024
Just before midnight Saturday, October 26th, SCFR units were alerted to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of Wyne Drive, near Warrenton Road. A Stafford County ambulance returning from the hospital spotted the fire and relayed information to dispatch, while additional calls came in. Other SCFR units arrived on scene approximately five minutes later to find three detached buildings, including a chicken coop, on fire. The fire was brought under control in approximately 10 minutes, with minor impact to the adjacent residence.
None of the occupants in the residence reported injuries. While multiple chickens did not survive, several others did. The fire is under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
The family dog has been rescued. Earlier this morning, units were dispatched back to the scene of last week’s horrific house explosion for a report of a barking dog in the debris. Crews arrived to hear the dog under a portion of the collapsed structure. Firefighters were able to free the animal after about 20 minutes of deploying structure collapse stabilization shoring techniques and some good old coaxing by the home’s owner. She appeared to be in good shape and showed her happiness of being freed by rapid tail wagging.
