Garage burns at Manassas home after accelerant used to start fire

Manassas City officials warn against using accelerants to start fires inside your home. Fire and rescue crews were recently called to a home on Zimbro Avenue for a fire incident involving the use of accelerants. Here’s more in a press release:

On Thursday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m., City of Manassas Fire & Rescue units were dispatched to a garage fire on Zimbro Avenue. Units arrived to find a significant fire and were able to suppress the fire quickly.

There was fire damage to the contents in the garage and smoke damage to the interior of the home totaling about $50,000. The Red Cross provided temporary housing assistance to the three adults and three children residing in the home.

The fire was caused when the homeowner was attempting to light a fire for the fireplace by using an accelerant.

Please remember the following safety tips when heating your house this winter:

• Only burn dry, cured wood and please don’t use an accelerant. Remember to store flammable materials at least three feet away from a fire. ·
• Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned as necessary.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Never burn garbage, rolled newspapers, charcoal or plastic in the fireplace.
• Never use gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire. Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace. Never leave a fire unattended.
• Don’t close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning. Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
• When cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tightly fitting lid and place the container away from the house.
• Never burn a Christmas tree in the fireplace.