A two-alarm, fire broke out in a three-story apartment building Saturday evening, leaving 67 people and two pets without a place to sleep, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said.
It happened in the 8400 block of Richmond Highway at the Wood Lawn Garden Apartments in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. Ten units had smoke and water damage and two others were destroyed.
More than 60 firefighters responded to the scene and put the fire out in just 14 minutes, officials said.
VIDEO: Fire from earlier on 8400 blk of Richmond Hwy in Fairfax County. 43 people displaced. 1 has non-life-threatening injuries. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/hr5XsFCLZQ
— Matt Yurus (@Matt_Yurus) December 11, 2016
The residents were loaded onto busses in an attempt to keep them warm on this chilly December night. It was unclear where those residents would be staying, the fire department said.
Fire investigators say the fire started in the attic space of the building. The fire is classified as Accidental in nature.
The cause is due to a mechanical failure of a natural gas furnace flue. Radiant heat escaping through a damaged section of the flue ignited ordinary combustibles in the attic space.
One woman was treated for smoke inhalation. No firefighters were injured.
It is unclear at this time how the fire began.
Damages to the building as a result of the fire are estimated to be approximately $227,500.00.
