Hot Exhaust Fire Destroys Home, Injures Four Firefighters

A fire reportedly caused by hot exhaust fumes has left one home destroyed, the family displaced, and one person in the hospital with serious burn injuries.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire Wednesday at approximately 12:35 p.m. in the Fairfax Center area of Fairfax County. The single family home is located at 5105 Pheasant Ridge Road, just outside the Fairfax City limits, close to Centreville.

According to Fairfax County authorities, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage area and rear of the two-story home upon arrival.

Firefighters conducted "an aggressive exterior and interior fire attack, bringing the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes," according to a statement from the county.

"Firefighters acted quickly to contain the outside brush fire that was rapidly moving to trees and other nearby homes. The incident commander struck a second alarm and another special alarm to ensure the protection of other homes," the statement read.

Authorities said the garage posed "a significant hazard" to firefighters with the storage of gasoline and vehicles in and near the garage. The home also contained numerous combustible items that hampered firefighting efforts. 

The fire reportedly started on the outside of the home and quickly spread, igniting the siding of the home. 

The single adult male occupant was home when the fire broke out and escaped unharmed and has been displaced. Red Cross support was offered but declined by the occupant. 

Three firefighters received non-life threatening injuries; one was flown to the Washington Hospital Burn Center.

The damage to the home is estimated at $231,500.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. The cause of the fire was the hot exhaust of a riding lawn tractor igniting nearby dry ground cover.

A few Patch readers wrote in about what they saw Wednesday.

"The garage and entire house were destroyed," said Fairfax City Patch reader Gale Godwin. "There were [at least] 70 firefighters on the scene."

Did you see the fire Wednesday? Tell us in the comments.

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