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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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.
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.
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.
Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle presented an ambitious plan to replace aging fire stations, upgrade firefighting equipment, and implement a systemwide approach to purchasing fire apparatus during a Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) work session on Tuesday.
The proposal, which spans Fiscal Year 2026 through 2031, aims to improve response times, station reliability, and firefighter safety while addressing rising costs and resource demands. The plan also includes a $158.3 million investment in four new or replacement fire stations and overhauling the county’s equipment procurement process.
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The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on March 4, 2025, when OmniRide coach number 3005, returning to Washington, D.C., after dropping off passengers in Spotsylvania County, experienced a flat tire. There were no passengers on board at the time.
According to OmniRide, the bus operator safely pulled over and contacted dispatch for further instructions. However, the flat tire wrapped around the axle and began to smoke, ultimately leading to a fire that spread throughout the vehicle. By the time fire services arrived, the coach was engulfed in flames.
No injuries were reported.
OmniRide confirmed that the vehicle had undergone its most recent state inspection in January 2025 and was in proper working order before the incident. “Our fleet is safe. We have reviewed the preventive maintenance records, including tire records, and the vehicle was in compliance,” OmniRide stated in a press release.
The organization’s contractor, Keolis, is conducting an internal investigation into the cause of the fire and is implementing corrective measures to prevent similar incidents.
A house fire that erupted on December 5, 2024, at 3:53 p.m. at 1405 Devils Reach Road in Woodbridge has been determined to have started due to an electrical issue. The fire quickly spread to the nearby Kid’s Choice Sport and Fun Center, causing significant damage to both buildings.
Investigators at Prince William County Fire and Rescue concluded that the fire began on the backside of the home along the exterior wall, near electrical outlets and lithium-ion (Li-Ion) portable tool batteries left on chargers. The fire has been classified as accidental/electrical.
Strong winds fueled the fire’s growth with sustained speeds of 17-20 mph and gusts reaching 30-40 mph. The flames quickly spread into the soffits of the main house and then extended to a framed roof of an outdoor living space and kitchen. Flying embers carried by the wind ignited dry materials on the ground, expanding the fire to the Kid’s Choice Sport and Fun Center.
Located 90-100 feet from the initial fire, the Kid’s Choice facility sustained heavy damage. Investigators noted that stored materials around the facility, including vehicles, vehicle bodies, building materials, and other combustible items, provided ample fuel for the flames. This allowed the fire to spread unchecked to both the exterior and interior of the building.
Firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze, but the fire’s rapid spread presented significant challenges. Authorities continue to evaluate the damage and urge homeowners and businesses to take precautions when storing flammable materials near structures.
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.
Prince William County
House Fire Displaces Family in Woodbridge
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.
Shooting Investigation in Woodbridge
Prince William County police officers responded to a reported shooting in the 14100 block of Bay Vista Drive in Woodbridge on February 10 at 11:23 p.m. A 23-year-old man was with a group of individuals when they demanded his property. During the altercation, a shot was fired, striking the victim in the upper body. The suspects dispersed before officers arrived. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities believe the incident was not random, and the investigation is ongoing.
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Fire and rescue units responded at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, to the 3400 block of Aviary Way, near Lake Ridge Elementary School, after a resident reported seeing smoke coming from the back of their home. When crews arrived, they found smoke and flames moving up the rear of the house and into the attic. Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the fire.
No injuries were reported, but the home sustained moderate damage. The Building Official declared the residence unsafe for occupancy. The American Red Cross assists two adults and three children displaced by the fire.
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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.
