The Dumfries Triangle Volunteer Fire Department has acquired a lent ambulance from the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, allowing it to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) services to the Dumfries and Triangle communities. This initiative, effective October 1, 2024, aims to improve emergency response capabilities and reduce the workload on Advanced Life Support (ALS) units.

Press Release:

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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.

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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.

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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:

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As Hurricane Helene intensifies and approaches Florida's Big Bend with the potential to become a major Category 4 hurricane, swift water rescue teams from Virginia are mobilizing to assist with the expected impacts.

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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.

Fire and rescue units responded to a townhouse fire on William Harris Way in the Rippon area of Woodbridge. Smoke was visible, and all occupants were safely evacuated. The basement-origin fire was quickly extinguished without injuries, though the home was deemed unsafe. Three adults were displaced, and the American Red Cross assisted.

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The Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating two incidents of illegally dumping 55-gallon drums containing waste on Reid Lane in Nokesville, posing significant environmental risks.

The Hazardous Materials Team secured the site, and the removal of the drums is being handled by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Press release:

The Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating two past separate incidents of illegal abandonment of multiple 55-gallon drums containing a waste product on Reid Lane in the Nokesville area. This type of dumping poses significant environmental threats.

Upon receiving citizen complaints regarding these drums, the Hazardous Materials Team and the Fire Marshal’s Office promptly secured the drums and ensured there would be no impacts to the environment. It was determined that the barrels were located on state-managed property. Accordingly, the responsibility for their removal rested with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The Fire Marshal’s Office maintained close communication with these agencies to ensure the removal of the drums.

Assistant Chief Matt Smolsky, Chief Fire Marshal of Prince William County, emphasized the critical role of community vigilance and cooperation: “We are committed to investigating and mitigating any potential hazards to our community promptly”. The public is being asked to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 703-792-6360 if you have any information regarding the incidents described above.

Any information about the illegal dumping could assist in the investigation and/or prosecution. Intentional release or intentional dumping of hazardous materials is a class one misdemeanor, and if convicted, an individual could be fined up to $2500 and face up to a year in jail.

If you observe any illegal dumping, please report it immediately. If you see something, say something by calling 911.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, fire and rescue crews from Prince William and Fairfax counties were dispatched to Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home in Woodbridge’s 13400 block of Woodbridge Street. The call was received at 10:23 a.m. after reports of extra smoke coming from the funeral home’s chimney and garage.

Upon arrival, crews investigated the source of the smoke and found a malfunctioning crematorium. Initial information from the scene indicated that a body was being cremated at the facility. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

The units cleared the area at 10:40 a.m.

Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home & Crematory provides funeral and cremation services to Woodbridge and Dale City residents.