Family escapes from two-alarm house fire in Lake Ridge early Sept. 21

Matt Smolsky, Prince William County’s Assistant Fire Chief, has provided details of a significant fire incident on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at 12:07 a.m. when units were dispatched to the 12000 blk of Point Longstreet Way (Lake Ridge) for a reported house fire. 

Crews arrived with heavy fire and smoke conditions. The occupants awoke from sounds emulating from a fire on the home’s rear deck. The two (2) adults and one child were then able to safely evacuate the structure.  An adult male occupant then went back into the home to rescue the family’s pet dog. During the rescue, the occupant sustained possible life-threatening burns and was transported to a regional burn center for treatment.

The discovery of the victim and the volume of fire required crews to request a second alarm to assist. The home sustained extensive damage causing the Building Official to declare the home unsafe to occupy.  The American Red Cross assisted the displaced family. The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the incident as accidental and the investigation is continuing.

at 9:54 a.m. Smolsky provided this update: Investigators on the scene have provided additional information. The male occupant did not go back into the home.  When the occupants awoke and started to evacuate, the male occupant was able to coax the family’s pet dog out of the home. It was doing this process and subsequently, while still in the home, the occupant sustained his injuries and then exited the home. He was found outside the home when units arrived. The family’s pet dog did successfully exit the building and is in good condition.