Updated: Investigators Unable to Determine Cause of Eagle Village Shopping Center Blaze

Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge.

In Fredericksburg, the December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause.

Updated: The Fire Marshal will continue to speak to witnesses should anyone have further information. Camera footage taken shortly after the fire was discovered has been reviewed, but no security cameras were available to assist the investigation. Officials also stated that there is no evidence of unauthorized entry into the building prior to the fire’s discovery, according to a city spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, a January 21 townhouse fire in Woodbridge displaced two residents after unattended cooking sparked flames. Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants, allowing them to escape safely. Both incidents highlight the importance of fire safety and preparedness as investigations into the causes continue.

Meanwhile, in Woodbridge

In the early hours of January 21, 2025, a townhouse fire displaced two residents in the 2800 block of Gloucester Court. Firefighters arrived just after 2:44 a.m. to find smoke showing from the residence.

The fire began when one of the occupants, who had been cooking in the kitchen, fell asleep. Fortunately, functioning smoke detectors alerted the resident, who quickly assisted another adult out of the home. Both individuals were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The fire was quickly extinguished, but the building was deemed unsafe to occupy by the Building Official, displacing the two residents. It is unclear whether the Red Cross is providing assistance.

The Fire Marshal’s Office determined that unattended cooking was the cause of the fire. Officials emphasized the importance of working smoke detectors, crediting them with preventing a potentially fatal outcome.

These two incidents serve as reminders of the importance of fire safety and preparedness. Residents are urged to ensure their smoke detectors are operational and to never leave cooking unattended. For additional fire safety tips and resources, visit your local fire department’s website.