Homeless Man Charged in Fire

Prince William County, Va. –– Fire officials in Prince William County say it was their busiest day in more than 30 years.

Massive brush fires spread across the county Saturday as wind gust of more than 50 mph prevailed across the region.

One man faces charges in a fire that broke out in Dale City: A 29-year-old homeless man is charged with carelessly spreading fire in the brush fire that prompted the temporary closure of a portion of Interstate 95.

The unidentified man lives in a homeless encampment behind a K-Mart store in Dale City. Sources say the man dropped a lit cigar onto the ground that ignited the dry brush.

There were a total of six brush fries in Prince William on Saturday that scorched 300 acres of land.

In the Occoquan Forest neighborhood near Manassas, a brush fire destroyed one home and damaged at least two others after a tree fell onto a power line.

At least 60 residents from the neighborhood were evacuated to a nearby fire station while more than 50 fire and rescue units worked to battle the blaze.

“This was the busiest day I have experienced in my 31-year career with Prince William County,” said Prince William Department of Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin McGee. “We had the support of so many people on this from Chief Hickerson of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department recalling off-duty volunteers and available fire and rescue units to Prince William County Police working traffic issues and road closures. We also had support from our colleagues in Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. I am especially proud of all the men and women who were able to bring these fires under control with no loss of life and minimal structural damage.”

A large amount of water was used to battle the blaze, and that forced water pressure in the area to drop.

Residents who were allowed to return home have been ordered boil their water and then to let it cool before consuming it until further notice.

Back in Woodbridge, another fire that sent rescue crews scrambling after propane tanks began exploding – near the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Smoketown Road.

Fire crews said a homeless encampment behind the shopping plaza was left in shambles after a brush fire ravaged 25 acres of land there.