A house fire that erupted on December 5, 2024, at 3:53 p.m. at 1405 Devils Reach Road in Woodbridge has been determined to have started due to an electrical issue. The fire quickly spread to the nearby Kid’s Choice Sport and Fun Center, causing significant damage to both buildings.
Investigators at Prince William County Fire and Rescue concluded that the fire began on the backside of the home along the exterior wall, near electrical outlets and lithium-ion (Li-Ion) portable tool batteries left on chargers. The fire has been classified as accidental/electrical.
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Sentara Lake Ridge, a standalone emergency facility, is now accepting ambulance patients as of February 4, 2025, expanding emergency medical access in eastern Prince William County. Previously, emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles were required to take patients to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, a Level III Trauma Center.
This expansion aims to address the region’s growing healthcare needs and alleviate pressure on SNVMC’s emergency department, which treated over 50,000 patients in 2024. SLR, which served more than 23,600 walk-in patients last year, has invested in staff training and medical equipment to support this transition.
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A two-story home on Waterford Drive in Manassas was engulfed in flames Friday evening, prompting a multi-agency response from area fire and rescue teams.
The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department reported that units were dispatched to the 10200 block of Waterford Drive around 5 p.m. on February 14, 2025, after multiple 911 callers reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the single-family home.
Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines to battle the blaze while conducting thorough searches of the home. No occupants were inside the home at the time of the fire.
One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the City of Manassas Fire Marshal’s Office. The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department was assisted at the scene by the Prince William County Fire & Rescue System and Manassas Park Fire Rescue.
Authorities have not yet released an estimated damage assessment or information on whether the home was occupied at the time of the fire.
Law enforcement and emergency responders in Prince William County, Stafford County, and the City of Manassas handled multiple incidents over the past several days, including a house fire that displaced a family in Woodbridge, two shooting investigations, drug-related arrests, and a series of disturbances and crimes.
Prince William County
House Fire Displaces Family in Woodbridge
On February 10 at approximately 8:30 p.m., fire crews responded to a house fire on the 3000 block of Fillmore Drive in Woodbridge. Flames broke out in the home’s laundry room, causing moderate damage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported. The home was deemed unsafe for occupancy, and two adults and one child were displaced. The Red Cross is providing assistance. The Fire Marshal confirmed the fire started in the laundry room, though the cause remains under investigation.
Shooting Investigation in Woodbridge
Prince William County police officers responded to a reported shooting in the 14100 block of Bay Vista Drive in Woodbridge on February 10 at 11:23 p.m. A 23-year-old man was with a group of individuals when they demanded his property. During the altercation, a shot was fired, striking the victim in the upper body. The suspects dispersed before officers arrived. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities believe the incident was not random, and the investigation is ongoing.
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Press release:
At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.
Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.
The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.
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.
It’s been a busy few days for area fire departments, with crews responding to several significant incidents. Here’s a recap of the latest:
House Fire in Woodbridge
Sunday, January 19, 2025 – 8:32 p.m.
Units rushed to the 13500 block of Haversack Lane in Woodbridge last night after neighbors reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found flames pouring from the rear of a single-family home. Fortunately, the house was unoccupied at the time, but it sustained severe damage and has been deemed unsafe by the Building Official.
Three adults and two children were displaced but did not require Red Cross assistance. The fire was traced to a chicken coop beneath the rear deck, likely caused by a heat lamp or related wiring. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Truck Fire in Gainesville
Thursday, January 16, 2025 – 10:06 p.m.
Crews were called to the 15000 block of Lee Highway in Gainesville late Thursday night for a vehicle fire. When they arrived, three tractor-trailers were ablaze. Firefighters utilized tanker operations to extinguish the flames, but the damage was extensive—three trucks were completely destroyed, and one connected trailer was heavily damaged.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no injuries were reported.
Hotel Fire in Stafford County
Thursday, January 16, 2025 – 7:45 a.m.
Stafford County Fire and Rescue and Quantico Fire and Emergency Services responded to a commercial waterflow alarm at the Affordable Suites of America near Richmond Highway on Thursday morning. The initial alarm was upgraded to a structure fire after reports of flames in a first-floor unit.
Crews arrived swiftly and extinguished the fire, which was contained to the original unit. The hotel’s sprinkler and smoke alarm systems were working, helping to minimize damage. A canine was safely rescued and reunited with its owner.
While the fire caused water damage to other units, all affected occupants were relocated within the hotel. No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Prince William County Fire and Rescue System warns residents to stay off naturally occurring ice on local waters, as it is often too thin and weak for safe outdoor activities. Unlike ice in colder northern climates, ice in this area is prone to cracks, instability, and variability due to fluctuating temperatures, moving water, and wildlife activity.
Key dangers include rapid ice deterioration, which can outpace its formation, and the risk of falling into icy waters, where hypothermia can occur in less than 10 minutes, making rescues extremely time-sensitive.
Safety Tips:
- Call 911 if someone falls through the ice.
- Avoid attempting a direct rescue on the ice.
- Provide the victim with a flotation device to keep them afloat until help arrives.
Residents are strongly advised to seek ice recreation only at designated facilities like skating rinks. Keep both people and pets off potentially dangerous natural ice.
Here’s the full press release:
Stay Off the Ice – Area Waters Unsafe
Our area rarely produces ice of the quality and thickness necessary for safe outdoor recreation; therefore, recreation on local ice is riskier than in northern climates. Ice that is formed during a continuous, hard freeze, typical of northern climates, is much stronger than ice formed during temperatures that repeatedly fluctuate above and below the freezing mark. Ice that forms where water levels change frequently, or where the water is moving, such as storm water ponds, rivers, and streams is especially dangerous because its thickness will vary with the conditions and may contain cracks. Areas inhabited by waterfowl, such as ducks or geese, can contain patches of very thin ice due to the birds’ swimming and feeding activities which have kept the water “open” longer than surrounding surfaces.
Stay off the Ice! Ice can deteriorate 4 times faster than it forms; therefore, its suitability for recreational purposes is often overestimated. Should an individual or animal fall into icy waters, moderate to severe hypothermia can occur in less than 10 minutes. The window of opportunity for a successful rescue closes rapidly beyond that time. Therefore, the primary challenge for rescuers is time.
Icy Water Safety Tips
If someone falls through the ice, you should:
1) Call 911 immediately.2) DO NOT go onto the ice to rescue them.
3) Safely reach out to the victim by providing them with something that will help them stay afloat.
The Prince William County Fire and Rescue System urges residents that if you see anyone on the ice, highly recommend they get off the ice; it’s not safe. This includes animals, do not allow your animals to walk on the ice. Ice recreation is best sought on skating rinks, pavilions, or other locations specifically designed for that purpose, and not the dangerous, naturally occurring ice that forms on area waters.
As Northern Virginia braces for one of the most significant winter storms in years, Prince William County Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle urges residents to take safety precautions and avoid unnecessary risks. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and dangerously cold temperatures, with snowfall rates possibly reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour.
Chief LaBelle emphasized that preparation and caution are key as the storm approaches. “If you can stay off the roads, stay off the roads,” he said. “It allows the cleanup crews to move more quickly and get this mess gone as soon as possible. If you must drive, remember that bridges freeze first, and maintaining more distance between vehicles and driving slower makes everything safer.”
The county’s fire and rescue teams have been mobilized to respond to emergencies during the storm. LaBelle noted that firefighters and EMTs are ready to assist but stressed the importance of residents preparing their homes and vehicles in advance. “Prepare now while the sun’s up,” he said. “If you think you’ll need a generator, set it up outside, get it gassed up, and make sure it works. Never run generators indoors or in garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.”
The chief also urged residents to clear sidewalks and shovel out fire hydrants near their homes, adding that shoveling should be done with care to prevent injuries. “It’s a great cardiovascular workout, so pace yourself. There’s no sense in hurting yourself in the process.”
LaBelle reflected on lessons learned from the 2021 winter storm that stranded motorists on Interstate 95 for hours. “Staying off the roadways is a huge piece of it,” he said. “VDoT [Virginia Department of Transportation] has a difficult time plowing when cars are on the road. If you don’t need to be out, stay home with a warm cup of coffee and a good book.”
Keeping Neighbors and Homes Safe
The chief encouraged residents to check on neighbors, particularly those who may be isolated or new to the area and unfamiliar with winter storms. “Reach out before the snow falls to let them know they can knock on your door if they need help,” he said.
For those using fireplaces or space heaters, LaBelle reminded residents to use them safely. “Keep space heaters at least three to four feet away from anything combustible and ensure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home,” he said.
Latest Storm Forecast
According to the National Weather Service, snow is expected to begin around 6 p.m. tonight, with heavy snowfall continuing overnight into Monday. Snowfall totals could range from 4 to 10 inches, with localized areas potentially receiving more. A secondary burst of snow is possible Monday night, and freezing rain or sleet may mix into some areas, reducing totals but increasing the risk of power outages and hazardous conditions.
Temperatures will drop into the teens by Tuesday night, leading to widespread refreezing and dangerous road conditions. Residents are advised to avoid travel and prepare for potential disruptions, including power outages and burst pipes.
Prince William County emergency crews and local agencies are on standby to assist residents, but Chief LaBelle stressed the importance of self-reliance. “Snowstorms like this can bring a community together,” he said. “But it’s up to each of us to prepare, stay safe, and look out for one another.”
