Annandale fire caused by electrical event
A major fire on Sunday at the Little River Square condos was caused by an electrical event, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported Feb. 9.
The fire started shortly after 1:30 a.m. at a third-floor unit in the 7400 block of Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Two of the three occupants at home at the time were transported to the hospital for checkups. FCFRD personnel assisted in the evacuation of two residents from apartments not directly on fire.
Fire investigators determined the fire started in the living room. It was caused by a malfunctioning multi-plug wall adapter.
What started as two-alarm fire went to three alarms, FCFRD states, due to the extent of the fire, potential life safety issues, and freezing temperatures. That brought additional units from the City of Alexandria Fire Department.
The occupants of the apartment were woken up by smoke alarms. Other building occupants called 911.
The fire displaced approximately 22 people. The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management and Security worked with the Red Cross to find alternative housing for them.
Damages are estimated at $80,420.
The FCFRD urges people not to overload power strips, as that can lead to an overheated circuit causing a fire.
