ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An early January 3-alarm fire that set a warehouse ablaze and impacted a nonprofit provider who helps those in need of food caused around $5 million in damages, according to a report.
The Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) fire marshals office released details Wednesday about the initial investigation into the Wheeler Avenue fire. It was determined that it was accidental and electrical in nature, causing around $1.5 million in structural damage and an additional estimated $3.5 million in damage to the contents of all impacted businesses located in the commercial strip warehouse.
The fire, which was initially reported around 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 2, was quickly upgraded to a 3-alarm fire, bringing more than 100 firefighters from AFD and surrounding jurisdictions to support.
Arlington County and Fairfax County fire departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the George Mason University and Fairfax City Fire Department Drone Team, the Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin and cause investigation over the course of three days.
Meanwhile, at the time of the investigation, firefighting activities continued to address hot spots and to extinguish fire debris. Investigators identified a room in the warehouse as the point of origin, which is where they also found several electrical components. The building’s fire alarm system and smoke alarms activated at the time of the blaze.
Among the businesses impacted by the fire is Jeffery’s Catering – a key provider for the Meals on Wheels program. They have made arrangements to continue services in an alternative location.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury, was treated, and released on the same day of the fire. The building was condemned due to fire and structural damage. The property value saved is an estimated $696,720.
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