For Immediate Release: January 30, 2023

On Saturday, January 28, at approximately 9:53 a.m., units were dispatched to the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway for a highrise building fire. Units arrived on scene and reported a fire in a unit on the fourth floor, upgrading the incident to a second alarm. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire. First responders from Arlington and Fairfax counties also responded to the incident.

AFD’s Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin and cause investigation and determined that the fire was accidental in nature with the probable cause determined to be spontaneous ignition from discarded rags and painting materials. The area of origin was in a closet where several paint cans and other painting supplies were found in the fire debris. The fire alarm system did not function at the time of the incident, despite multiple pull stations being activated. Upon further investigation, fire marshals determined that the system had been shut off by the main power switch. The switch was turned back on, and the alarm system reset and restored to service. Fire marshals instructed building management to have the alarm system checked to ensure there are no faults or malfunctions.

Assistance from American Red Cross was not requested, and residents affected by the incident made arrangements for relocation. One civilian experienced non-life-threatening injuries as a result of a physical hazard at the scene and was transported to an area hospital. No first responders were injured as a result of the incident.

The residence where the fire originated was condemned, and additional units in the building experienced water damage. The Fire Marshal’s Office notified the Office of Code Administration. The fire caused approximately $300,000 in damages to the unit and an additional estimated $100,000 in water damage.

The Alexandria Fire Department encourages residents to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when disposing of hazardous and/or combustible materials. Learn more about how to safely dispose of those materials at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection Center.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or (703) 746-5190.

###

This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4278.