Huge fire destroys home on Columbia Pike
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| The rear of the house. |
Updated 6/17: A two-alarm fire just about destroyed a single-family home at
6356 Columbia Pike across from Barcroft Plaza this afternoon.
No one was injured. The two men who lived on the property were
home at the time and got out as soon as they realized the house was on fire. The
owner, Van Covan, had lived there for about 20 years. Another man lived in
a separate building in the rear for about eight years. There were no pets.
home at the time and got out as soon as they realized the house was on fire. The
owner, Van Covan, had lived there for about 20 years. Another man lived in
a separate building in the rear for about eight years. There were no pets.
Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials and started on the rear deck. Damages are estimated at $218,500.
A next door neighbor called 911 at about 2:30 p.m. Neighbors saw flames and
smoke coming from the house. The fire was so hot, it melted some of the siding on the
house next door. Despite the wind, however, the fire didn’t spread to neighboring homes.
smoke coming from the house. The fire was so hot, it melted some of the siding on the
house next door. Despite the wind, however, the fire didn’t spread to neighboring homes.
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| Denyse Le Fever, who was visiting a nextdoor neighbor, took this picture of flames shooting from the roof. |
More than 20 fire units from the Annandale, Merrifield, and Edsall
fire stations in Fairfax County plus the Arlington County and the City of Alexandria fire departments responded. A stretch of Columbia Pike was blocked off
for hours.
fire stations in Fairfax County plus the Arlington County and the City of Alexandria fire departments responded. A stretch of Columbia Pike was blocked off
for hours.
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| The fire melting siding on the house next door. |
5 responses to “Huge fire destroys home on Columbia Pike”
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Is cause of fire known?
Yes. Read article.
"More than 20 fire units from the Annandale, Merrifield, and Edsall fire stations in Fairfax County plus the Arlington County and the City of Alexandria fire departments responded."
I know that when available, extra units/vehicles will often arrive on scene until it's certain that they're not needed–preventive measures–but this sounds extreme. Does anyone know why so many vehicles and staff from so many different departments responded?
Were they concerned about the fire–not just the heat–spreading to several houses on that street?
I'm NOT questioning the expertise of the professionals, but I'm definitely curious.
I'm glad no one was hurt.
I agree, it does seem excessive and I am ashamed to admit it annoys me. But my guess is it is a valuable training opportunity for more junior firefighters who otherwise might never see the real thing. Training videos can't compare to seeing the real deal. Teachable moments. So them bringing so many firetrucks is their way of "filling the classroom."
I just saw this house Jan 2020 and it’s in the same burnt condition with some boarded doors and windows. I’m curious as to what will happen to the house? I would guess it would be demolished by now.