Wood chips cause house fire in Lake Barcroft area

Fairfax County firefighters attack a fire on Queen Anne Terrace. [FCFRD]

Improperly discarded wood chips from a grill started a fire at a home in Lake Barcroft that caused approximately $128,000 in damages.

When units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived, shortly after 1 a.m., they found a car on fire inside an attached carport at a single-family house in the 6400 block of Queen Anne Terrace. The fire had spread to the house and roof.

Four occupants were home at the time of the fire. Neighbors were woken up by their dog, looked out the window and noticed an orange glow. Upon further investigation, the neighbors saw the house was on fire, woke up the occupants, and called 911. Smoke alarms sounded after the fire was discovered. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and started on the exterior of the carport, when discarded wood chips from a grill were placed in a trashcan.

The fire department reminds residents that even if coals appear to be cool, they should always be soaked with water in a metal container with a lid. Coals retain enough heat to reignite days after a fire.