Crime & Safety

Officials: Smoking Materials Caused Fire

Smoking materials sparked a Thursday fire that resulted in $175,000 in damage

Some improperly discarded smoking materials caused a fire last week at a single-family home, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Three adults and three children were displaced after theon the 4800 block of Briggs Road, the department reported. 

About 65 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire that was under control in about 50 minutes. In the course of fighting the fire, one firefighter sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. Due to medical privacy laws, the nature of his injuries could not be reported, said Captain Willie Bailey, a spokesman for the department. 

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No one was home at the time of the fire and no other injuries were reported.

Fire Department officials said the home sustained about $175,000 in damage.

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The Department offers the following fire safety tips:

  • Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away as they can smolder and cause a fire.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.
  • Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (i.e., mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).
  • Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
  • If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. They are less likely to cause fires. 
  • To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach.


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