Smoke Detector Helps Va. Man Escape Fire: Video

Uriah Kiser, News & Messenger, Manassas, Va.
Manassa Journal Messenger (Virginia)

Fire officials say they still do not know what caused the fire that destroyed a Lake Ridge home last week, but they say a smoke detector saved the owner's life.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the lakeside house, near the 3400 block of Aviary Way, just after midnight May 14.

The blaze was extensive as flames shot through the roof and every window of the home's many rooms.

The residence sits away from the townhouses which surround it, with a small driveway down a steep embankment which was large enough only to get a few pieces of firefighting equipment through, said Dale City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Chappell.

"Nearly all of our units had to stage on the street and run water lines to fight the blaze," said Chappell.

Chappell said most of the fire hydrants in the neighborhood were difficult to use because they were positioned further away from the home.

He also said the home was built with newer building materials which are prone to burn faster, like wood that is comprised of small wood chipped particles versus heavy, solid wood.

Dale City Volunteer Firefighter Karl Ashley said a large propane tank, exploding fireworks and exploding ammunition rounds made the fire harder to fight.

"We were originally called out to fight an outside fire by a neighbor who said they saw flames," said Ashley. "When we got there the house was fully engulfed and we knew then that this was going to be a tough thing to fight."

The home's owner was the only person inside the house when it caught fire.

His smoke detector saved his life, said Prince William Fire and Rescue Chief Joe Robertson.

"We can't stress enough having a working smoke detector inside your home because as you can see here, it saves lives," said Robertson.

The home is considered a total loss with property damage topping nearly $700,000.

Robertson said the fire started on the rear deck of the home and the cause remains undetermined.