Firefighters rescue cats

One of the cats rescued from a house fire in the Lake Barcroft area.

Fairfax County firefighters rescued two cats from a fire at a home in the 3100 block of Holloway Road in the Lake Barcroft area Dec. 20.

An occupant called 911 after the smoke alarm sounded. One adult and one juvenile were home at the time and they saw smoke in the attic.

When fire units arrived at about 5:30 p.m., smoke was showing from the second floor of the one-story single-family home.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. It started in the pipe chase on the main level of the home and was caused by a plumber’s torch being used to solder copper pipes.

Four people and two cats were displaced by the fire. The occupants declined Red Cross assistance. Damages were estimated at $93,750.