WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A house fire ignited by a cigarette butt had a Prince William County family running for safety early Monday morning. Fire crews said the quick actions of a police officer and a neighbor helped them escape the flames.
According to firefighters with the Prince William County Fire Department, crews were sent to the 15500 block of Merrily Way, off of Cardinal Drive, in Woodbridge for a reported fire. Once on scene, firefighters saw fire and smoke coming from the rear of the house.
Firefighters said the family was able to get out of the house before they arrived because a neighbor tried to wake them up by honking a car horn. A Prince William County police officer arrived soon afterward and pounded on the front door to get their attention, and helped get them out of the home.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. However, officials said the home was not safe to live in. Two adults and one child were displaced by the blaze, firefighters said.
An investigation revealed the fire was sparked by improperly discarded smoking materials. The fire started outside the home and then spread inside.
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