Six escape Community Drive townhouse fire in Manassas Dec. 22

On Saturday, December 22nd at 5:43 p.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to a townhouse fire in the 7900 block of Community Drive in the Irongate subdivision of Manassas, VA. First-arriving units verified all occupants were out of the residence and proceeded to complete extinguishment and overhaul.

Before the smoke detectors activated, one of the children in the residence alerted an adult to the fire who proceeded to use a garden hose to hold the fire in check until fire and rescue units arrived, according to Thomas J. Pearson, assistant fire marshal for Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. 

The preliminary damage estimate is $50,000, according to Pearson’s report. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross assisted three adults and three children displaced by the fire, a news release said. County Police assisted with scene management.  Fire investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office classified the cause of this fire as accidental. 

Pearson reminded residents to practice fire safety during the holidays.  Live Christmas trees should be checked frequently and watered at least once a day.  Packaging and other combustible materials should be kept away from decorative lights and other heat sources.  Electrical circuits should not be overloaded with extension cords and gang plugs.  Smoke detectors should be checked to ensure they are functioning properly to alert residents in the event of a fire emergency.