Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is preparing to reopen after a fire temporarily forced the restaurant to close in August 2024. The fire, which originated at a neighboring tanning salon on August 23, caused an estimated $85,000 in damages to the Fredericksburg-area eatery.

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After an extensive investigation, the Prince William County fire marshall said the cause of the recent fire that destroyed eight vehicles at the Summerland Heights Apartment complex in Woodbridge had been changed to undetermined, leaving residents and officials seeking answers.

Press release:

Update:
After further analysis and investigation the cause of the fire has been changed to undetermined. Additional information will be provided if warranted.

Previously Released:
This morning units were dispatched to the Summerland Heights Apartment complex (Woodbridge) for multiple reports of several autos on fire. Crews arrived with a row of parked cars on fire. Extinguishment quickly followed. A total of eight vehicles were destroyed while three (3) others sustained damage. No injuries were reported. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the blaze was ignited by an electrical malfunction in a hybrid vehicle. The ensuing fire engulfed nearby autos. Leaking gasoline contributed to the extensive spread.

Authorities have released the names of the victims in a tragic house fire that occurred in the early hours of October 4, 2024, in Montclair. Prince William County Police confirmed the deaths of three individuals, all members of the same family.

The deceased were identified as:

• Sameena Begum, 49
• A 13-year-old boy
• An 8-year-old boy

According to investigators, the victims were family members who lived in the home. The father and husband of the victims were at work at the time of the incident. Additionally, a family of three who resided in the basement apartment escaped the blaze before the fire department arrived. All indications suggest that the home’s smoke detectors were functional and activated during the fire.

The cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths are still under investigation. Due to the severe nature of the fire, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has joined the investigation alongside Prince William County Police and Fire Marshals. The victims’ bodies were transferred to the Medical Examiner’s Office for formal identification and autopsies.

The initial call reporting the fire came at approximately 5:50 a.m., with units dispatched to the 15700 block of Piedmont Place in Montclair. Upon arrival, fire crews found the two-story home fully engulfed in flames.

An investigation is ongoing.

From Prince William fire and rescue:

3 p.m. update — Three (3) victims have been found deceased inside the structure. Due to the extent of their injuries the Medical Examiner’s Office will need to identify the victims and conduct autopsies. No further information is available on the victims.

This scene is very active requiring an in-depth investigation to determine the events that lead up to this tragedy. The exact cause is under investigation. This has become a joint investigation with the County Police Department since the deaths were unattended. Due to the severity of the fire, the ATF will be assisting.

This will be the final update for today since no additional critical information is expected today.

10:30 a.m. update — Units remain on the scene conducting the investigation. Efforts are still underway to locate the three (3) residents who are still unaccounted for. It has been confirmed there were occupants (unknown number) in the home’s basement that were able to escape the home prior to the fire department’s arrival. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Original post — Units were dispatched this morning to the 15700 blk of Piedmont Place (Montclair) for several calls reporting a single-family dwelling on fire in the neighborhood. Units arrived to find a 2-story single-family dwelling totally involved. Currently crews are attempting to account for the home’s residents. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The Prince William County Swift Water Rescue Team, activated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management due to Hurricane Helene, concluded their deployment and safely returned home. They were initially deployed to Norton, Virginia, and subsequently assisted in various rescue operations in Washington County and the Town of Damascus, where they dealt with historic rainfall and flooding. Over the course of their deployment, the team successfully rescued 19 people, with one requiring helicopter rescue. They were visited by Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) and even rescued an American flag from flood debris. The team has now returned to the county and is back at the Training Academy.

Press release:

September 30, 2024

Swift Water Rescue Team Update

The team was released yesterday morning by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). They spent most of day returning to the County and safely arrived last night at the Training Academy. The team was grateful for the opportunity to help but were glad to be back home. Great job team!

Previously Released

September 28, 2024

A very active day for the Prince William County Swift Water Rescue Team. The day started with a quick visit from Governor Youngkin at the Damascus command post. Afterwards it was time to get to work. Our team was paired with rescue teams from Arlington and Stafford County. A total of 19 people were rescued today. One (1) of the group required a helicopter medevac another ground transported to a nearby medical facility. The remaining were shuttled to a nearby shelter. In addition to helping the residents of Damascus , Lt. Ross Shannon (PWC) and a member of the Stafford team were able to free an American Flag from the flood debris (see attached video). The team was a given a 12-hour rest period tonight but is preparing for another day in the area tomorrow.

Previously Released

September 28, 2024

The Prince William County Fire and Rescue Swift Water Rescue Team is back at it today, assisting victims of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia near the North Carolina border. Yesterday, the team was working in and around the Town of Damascus. The team was responsible for five (5) rescues and assisted in other searches. The team spent last night at the Bristol Fire Training Center. Today, the team will be headed back to Chestnut Mountain Road area of Damascus to continue searches for missing people and surveying the devastation. The on-scene commander, Battalion Chief Jonathan Moore, reports the team is doing well and staying focused on their mission.

September 27, 2024

After staging in Norton, Virginia overnight, the Prince William County Swift Water Rescue Team was reassigned to Washington County near the border with North Carolina. They were quickly dispatched to the Town of Damascus to assist other rescue teams. The area sustained historical rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Prince William County Fire and Rescue System Chief Tom LaBelle commented, “I am extremely proud of the team in their efforts to support citizens throughout the Commonwealth”. The team is highly motivated and remains ready to get the job done.

September 26, 2024

Prince William County’s Swift Water Rescue Team was activated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) yesterday at 8:00 PM for deployment as a VDEM resource to Norton, Virginia by 4:00 PM today ahead of Hurricane Helene. The Team was deployed from the Prince William Public Safety Training Center at 10:00 AM this morning to begin travelling to Norton. The Team is a FEMA Type 3 team consisting of six Swift Water Technicians and Swift Water Boat Operators and a Battalion Chief to provide command level oversight and to coordinate with VDEM staff and local jurisdictional fire, rescue, law enforcement and governmental officials. The team is equipped and trained to perform water rescues in all types of situations including hurricane flood waters.

Fire alarms went off just before lunchtime on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, bringing firefighters in from several locations in the area and halting traffic and shoppers.

All eyes were on the building at 1016 Caroline Street, an old theater that currently houses a daycare center. Fire trucks and ambulances blocked the street entrances to minimize traffic surrounding the building, and a ladder was extended to the roof, allowing firefighters to access that area.

“The whole block is closed,” said one shop owner across the street.

“The old Victoria Theater is on fire, might be electrical too, not sure,” said another.

The trucks on the scene included Fredericksburg Engines 1 and 2, Ladder 1, Medic 2, and Stafford County Engine 1.

“It takes a lot to figure out where it’s coming from,” said one firefighter that was down on the street.

Firefighters on the roof found an air handler that may have caused the smoke smell, so they investigated further. About 20 minutes later, some of the trucks pulled away, opening some of the side streets to through traffic. Fire officials have not said what caused the commotion.

The Stafford Sheriff's Office was called to Historic Port of Falmouth Beach, 401 River Road, on Saturday, August 24, for a report of a drunken man on the public beach.

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A Prince William County Fire Marshal attributes a townhouse fire in Woodbridge to improper propane grill use. The damage was limited to the home’s exterior, and the Red Cross assisted displaced residents.

Press release:

Townhouse Fire

Monday, August 26, 2024

9:02 AM

This morning units were dispatched to the 1600 blk of Devil Lane (Woodbridge) for a caller reporting their fence was on a fire. Crews arrived quickly and located a fire to the rear of a townhome threatening an adjoining unit. The fire was extinguished limiting damage primarily to the exterior of the homes and the surrounding deck and fence. No injuries were reported. The Building Official did declare one of the homes unsafe to occupy requiring the Red Cross to assist two (2) adults and one (1) child. The Fire Marshal’s office determined the improper use of a propane grill igniting combustibles next to it caused the fire.

The Fire Marshal’s Office reminds everyone to use grills as they are designed to operate. Use only recommended fuels for the type of grill being utilized. All grills should be kept a minimum of 10-15 feet away from your home or other combustible materials. Enjoy the grill but use it safely.

Several police officers and fire and rescue crew were honored during the First Responders Appreciation Event on Wednesday, August 21, at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.

The event covered first responders from the Fredericksburg and Caroline, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties, filling the main ballroom at the Convention Center. There were 19 awards given out to local Virginia State Troopers and county police officers from all over the area. Included in the 19 awards was a lifetime achievement award given to Fredericksburg Fire Chief Mike Jones, Caroline County Citizens Valor awards given to Shericka Twyner, Russell Trainer, and Desiree Dushane, and the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Citizens Valor Award went to Guillermo Shelton and Austin Leonard.

“We are a better region because of you,” added Steve Cox of Rappahannock Goodwill, one of the sponsors at this event, which the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce hosted.

“In many ways, you represent the best of Virginia,” said Jason Miyares, the attorney general of Virginia. He compared them to World War II’s ‘greatest generation’ and the soldiers that landed at Normandy. “You go to work each morning and put on the bulletproof vest,” he added. “The hardest thing I have to do as Attorney General is speak at the funerals of the fallen first responders,” he said.
As the awards were presented, some details were shared about the officers’ criminal enforcement and other community improvement actions.

Captain Crystal Hill of the Fredericksburg Police launched the city’s first lobotomy program, while Fire Captain John Hanson honed the water rescue program on the Rappahannock River. “The efforts of his work are recognized,” said Stafford Fire Department Chief Joseph Cardello. There were many stories that day that showed the professionalism of all involved.

For the first time at this event, the Chamber introduced the Lifetime Achievement Award to honor exceptional contributions in the field. Retired chief of the Fredericksburg Fire Department, Eddie Allen, presented the award to current Fredericksburg Fire Chief Mike Jones.

Jones began his fire service career in 1979 with the Falmouth Volunteer Fireman’s Association. He excelled in training and became a key member of the team. Jones followed in his father’s footsteps, who was a firefighter for Fairfax County. His commitment to excellence saw him rise through the ranks from Lieutenant in 1987 to achieving his dream of becoming Fire Chief in March 2020, a challenging time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. He played a crucial role in public outreach, recording daily updates to inform and reassure the community during those dark months.

Throughout his career, Jones has been dedicated to community service and building relationships with civic organizations, state agencies, and the Fredericksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, where he has been a member for over 38 years. He has also been a mentor, preparing others for leadership roles and actively participating in community programs like Leadership Fredericksburg.

Kevin Dillard, Chair of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and this event stated, “Serving as chair of the annual First Responders event provided me the opportunity to do some research whereby I discovered that our organization had never honored a first responder for a lifetime of service in the Commonwealth. I strongly believe that the men and women who have served for many years, whether as volunteer or career first responders, deserve recognition for their many years of public service.”

The sponsors were highlighted as well, and the list included Goodwill Rappahannock, The Oberle Academy, Pierpoint Construction, Lifecare Medical Transports, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, Mullins & Thompson, Tire Tread Service, Dominion Energy, Spartan, Fredericksburg Public School Foundation, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Riphean, Fredericksburg Nationals Baseball Team, CIP Finishes, Arsenal Events, Truist, Found and Sons, Hilldrup, Matern, Germanna, Little Tire, Discover Next Step, Topside, PRSA, The UPS Store, Virginia Credit Union, Black Rifle Coffee, Mattaponi Springs and RSQ.