Annandale house fire caused by fire pit ashes

Ashes should be stored in a metal bucket. [Zeny]

A fire Sept. 28 in the 4000 block of Ossian
Hall Lane in the Wakefield Chapel area of Annandale was caused by improperly
discarded fire pit ashes, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reports.

The fire started at about 3:30 p.m. in the
garage of a single-family house. The residents weren’t home, but a neighbor saw
smoke and flames and called 911.

There were smoke alarms in the house but not in
the garage. Damages are estimated at $4,000. No one was displaced and there
were no injuries.

The Fire Department reminds residents about the
safe disposal of ashes:

• Put ashes into a non-combustible metal container with a lid. Do not use a combustible
  container, such as a paper or plastic bag, a cardboard box, or a plastic trash
  can. 
• Pour water into the container to make sure the
  ashes are cool.
• Do not place an ash container on a deck or porch or in a garage. Keep it outside, a safe distance from the home and ideally on a
  non-combustible surface.
• Follow these safety tips even if you wait
  several days to remove ashes from a fireplace. Ashes can stay hot for days.