Crews Battle House Fire in Extreme Cold
 
By Chief Tom Wood
January 2, 2018
 

At approximately 0204, units from Stonewall, Manassas City, Manassas Park, Yorkshire, and Bristow were dispatched to a reported house fire on Damascus Drive. E511 arrived to find a single family home with smoke showing from all 4 sides and fire in the kitchen and attached sunroom. The occupant met the crew in the street and advised no one was in the house. E511 initiated fire attack, supported by RS521 and TWR501 opening up walls and ceilings and conducting ventilation operations. E509 and E525 crews stretched backup lines. Extensive overhaul was required to find and extinguish fire in walls and void spaces. The fire was quickly knocked down, but damage was extensive. The scene was turned over to the Prince William County Fire Marshal's Office for investigation into the origin and cause.

The temperature at the time of the fire was just above 0, which resulted in icy conditions around the scene and several hoselines having to be thawed out. No injuries were reported. Fire units cleared the scene at approximately 0515.

 
Units: E511, E509, E501, E508, E525, TWR501, TWR525, RS521, A511, M511, BC501W, BC504Y, BC582, BC589, SF502