At 9:48 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025, firefighters were dispatched to the 16300 block of Boatswain Circle in Woodbridge after reports of a fire in a home. All occupants evacuated safely before crews arrived, reporting the fire was in a basement bedroom. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which caused moderate damage to the home.
One adult occupant sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local medical facility. The fire displaced five adults and three children. The Red Cross is assisting the affected families. Due to the extent of the damage, the building official declared the home unsafe for occupancy.
Authorities emphasized that working smoke detectors and a closed bedroom door played a crucial role in limiting the fire’s spread and ensuring residents’ safe evacuation. Fire officials reminded residents to regularly test their smoke detectors and keep bedroom doors closed at night to enhance fire safety. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
On Friday, January 10, 2025, at 8:28 p.m., firefighters responded to multiple calls reporting a house fire on the 6900 block of Harvey Road in Manassas. When crews arrived, they found a single-family home fully engulfed in flames.
Neighbors reported the fire, as the home’s occupants were not present. Battling adverse weather conditions, firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. Unfortunately, the house was destroyed.
The fire displaced four adults, assisted by the Red Cross. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Update 9 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 — Fire crews monitored the scene overnight and will continue overhaul operations with daylight to fully extinguish the fire, as Fire Marshals investigate the cause. Both structures sustained major damage, and one employee of Kid’s Choice Sports Center was treated for a non-life-threatening injury; no firefighters were injured.
From fire and rescue:
Units remained on the scene overnight continuing to monitor the scene for hot spots that needed extinguishment. With daylight it will be easier to conduct overhaul operations to complete extinguishment. Fire Marshals will be returning to scene to continue the cause and origin investigation.
Both structures involved in the incident sustained major damage.
Injury Update- Earlier reports indicated there were no injuries. It was confirmed one employee of the Kid’s Choice Sports Center was transported to a local medical facility with a non-life-threatening injury. There were no injuries to firefighting personnel.
Additional updates will be provided as warranted.
Update 5:45 p.m. — Firefighters are battling a three-alarm fire that began as an exterior blaze near a single-family home on Devil’s Reach Road and spread to the Kids Choice Sports building on Sport and Health Drive in Woodbridge.
The building was not heavily occupied, no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Under normal operation, the Kid’s Choice Sport and Fun Center in Woodbridge spans 56,000 square feet and offers a range of activities and programs for children and adults. The center features swimming, laser tag, bounce houses, basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, and a dedicated area for younger children called Toddler Town.
Recently the center launched indoor high school soccer leagues starting. The leagues are designed to prepare players for the high school season. In addition to the leagues, the center will hosted Nova FC Soccer Fall Classes in October. These five-week indoor soccer clinics are aimed at children aged 6 to 11 and focus on grassroots soccer fundamentals and fun, competitive activities.
The loss of the center will mean parents will be scrambling to find alternatives for their children to play indoor sports. Earlier this year, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors backed off a plan to build an indoor sports center near Potomac Mills mall.
More from Prince William County Fire and Rescue:
Units are on the scene of 3 alarm warehouse fire in the 13000 blk of Sport and Health Drive (Woodbridge). The incident began as a fire on the exterior side to a single-family dwelling on Devil’s Reach Road. Crews arrived on the scene and requested a 2nd alarm because of the advancing fire. A 3rd alarm was request shortly thereafter. Brush and other combustibles had ignited and spread to the Kids Choice Sports building located in the 13000 blk of Sport & Health Drive. The Kids Choice Sports building was not heavily occupied at the time of the incident. No injuries have been reported. Firefighting operations are still underway. No cause has been determined at this time.
Original post — Prince William County fire crews are responding to two major fires, one at a large gym complex in Woodbridge and the other at an adjacent house.
The house fire broke out 3:52 p.m. in the 1405 block of Devils Reach Road in Woodbridge. The fire has rung two alarms, according to initial information.
The second is at the large gym complex in the 13000 block of Sport and Health Drive, prompting a three-alarm emergency response. Kids Choice Sport & Fun Center, Prince William Athletic Center, and Overtime Fitness are some businesses listed as tenants.
Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Matt Smolsky confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a “warehouse fire.” The specific details of the fire’s cause and extent are still under investigation. “As soon as information is confirmed, more will be provided,” Smolsky said.
There is no word yet on potential injuries or the impact on nearby businesses and residences. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Residents are advised to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to manage the situation safely.
More as we have it.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
House Fire
Thursday, December 5, 2024
3:28 AM
Earlier this morning units were dispatched to the 9900 blk of Suheil Road (Buckhall) for a reported fire near a home. Crews arrived on the scene with the fire quickly spreading throughout the home. The amount of fire and windy conditions prompted a second alarm to assist. All occupants were safely out of the home. No injuries were reported. The single-family home sustained extensive damage. The Building Official declared the structure unsafe to occupy. Three (3) adults were displaced. The Fire Marshal’s Office is on the scene looking into the cause of the blaze.
Photos from Prince William fire and rescue.
Update:
After a complete evaluation of the building, the Building Official has determined only one (1) condo unit is unsafe to occupy. From this determination, only one (1) occupant will be displaced from the incident.
From Prince William fire and rescue:
Building Collapse (Truck into a building)
Monday, December 2, 2024
8:17 AM
This morning Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the 12700 blk of Gordon Blvd. (Woodbridge) for a report of building collapse as the result of a motor vehicle crash. Units arrived on the scene and observed a tractor trailer had crashed into a condo building at the Moorings of Occoquan. Multiple vehicles were involved. A total of five (5) patients were evaluated with four (4) being transported. No one in the building was injured. The building sustained moderate damage.
A Building Official is on the scene evaluating the extent of damages. It is anticipated several individuals will be displaced. Fire and Rescue units are remaining on the scene to shore up the damaged structure and to standby while the truck is removed from the building. All inquiries regarding the cause of the crash should be directed to the Prince William County Police Department.
From Prince William Fire and Rescue:
Townhouse Fire
Friday, November 29, 2024
5:48 AM
Earlier this morning units were dispatched to the 12900 blk of Titania Way (Lake Ridge) for a townhouse fire. Crews arrived to find the occupants had safely evacuated and a fire on the home’s rear deck. The fire was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported. The fire originated on the rear deck and extended up into attic. The home sustained moderate damage with minimal damage to one (1) adjoining home. The Building Official determined the home was unsafe to occupy displacing the family of 2 adults and 3 children. The Red Cross responded to assist. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was ignited by the improper disposal of charcoal ashes.
The Fire Marshal’s Office reminds everyone, “always discard ashes in a non-combustible container and never place discarded ashes near combustibles in or near your home”.
Press Release from Prince William Fire and Rescue:
House Fire
Sunday, November 10, 2024
10:18 AM
This morning units were dispatched to the 11800 blk of Molair Road ([Near] Manassas) for a caller reporting a car on fire next to a house. Crews arrived on the scene with an auto fire and a rapidly spreading fire into a single-family dwelling. The surrounding brush and other combustibles were also ignited. The location of the home required rural water supply operations, but the fire was quickly brought under control. The home sustained extensive damage and was declared unsafe to occupy by the Building Official. No injuries were reported. The American Red [Cross] is assisting 2 adult occupants who were displaced. Based on observations and witnesses, indications are the fire was ignited by the recently driven and parked vehicle igniting combustible vegetation under the vehicle.
Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, the district in which the station will reside, said this is of the utmost importance to the community.
“With Station 27, we’re bringing faster emergency response times, state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated team of firefighters and first responders,” Bailey said. “… It’s an investment in our future and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in making this vision a reality.”
The three-story, 20,419-square-foot station will be the county’s 23rd fire station and is expected to open in October 2026. Fire Chief Thomas LaBelle said the work of his department withstands the test of time, and so will this building.
“Things happen. The alarm sounds. The men and women of the fire rescue system stand up. They go out to help the community, and then things go back to normal,” LaBelle said. “But just to be clear, 30 years from now, it will continue to happen. Not only will people continue to respond, but this community I know will continue to stand up and provide the resources necessary to make that happen.”
County Executive Chris Shorter also emphasized this point, saying the county continues to provide for its first responders.
“They put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” Shorter said. “It really is a testament to them and our community that we build facilities like this to make sure that they can do what they do best, and that is protecting our community for our residents. This station means a faster response time in critical situations. It means knowing that in times of crisis, we will arrive swiftly. And it means peace of mind for families, businesses and schools in the area.”
From Prince William fire and rescue:
The family dog has been rescued. Earlier this morning, units were dispatched back to the scene of last week’s horrific house explosion for a report of a barking dog in the debris. Crews arrived to hear the dog under a portion of the collapsed structure. Firefighters were able to free the animal after about 20 minutes of deploying structure collapse stabilization shoring techniques and some good old coaxing by the home’s owner. She appeared to be in good shape and showed her happiness of being freed by rapid tail wagging.
Updated 1:45 p.m. —
House Explosion
Tuesday, October 14, 2024
5:36 PM
Units were dispatched to the 5900 blk of Coby Hunt Ct. (Haymarket) at 4:17 pm for a reported outside gas leak. The dispatched unit arrived at 4:25 pm finding a 2” gas line damaged and leaking. At 4:26 pm, Washington Gas was requested for assistance. Shortly thereafter, the destroyed home and the homes in the immediate area were evacuated. The gas company arrived on the scene at 5:13 pm. The explosion occurred at approximately 5:36 pm. The leak was still active at the time of the explosion. When the home exploded, the on-scene fire unit officer immediately requested additional units and a second alarm to assist within minutes.
A private contractor was in the process of replacing the water line to the home when the gas line was struck and ruptured. Natural gas is lighter than air and will travel through any possible avenue. At some point the gas reached an ignition source and the explosion occurred. There are multiple possible ignition sources that could have contributed to the event. Miss Utility had been contacted prior to the construction. The scene is still being studied to possibly identify the ignition source. A representative of the State Division of Utility and Railroad Safety is also on the scene to investigate the incident.
No injuries were reported. Except for the destroyed home all occupants were allowed to return to their homes last night. Hopefully, gas service maybe restored to the impacted homes later tonight.
Original post — A house explosion occurred in the 5900 block of Coby Hunt Court near Haymarket on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 5:36 p.m., following a reported natural gas leak.
Units responded to the scene at 4:17 p.m. after an underground contractor reportedly struck a natural gas line. Fortunately, the home had been evacuated prior to the explosion, and no injuries were reported.
The single-family home, which housed two unrelated families consisting of four adults and two children, was completely destroyed. Several nearby vehicles were damaged by flying debris, and eight neighboring homes had their natural gas service disrupted, which could last up to two days.
Power has been restored to the homes in the immediate vicinity, and they were allowed to be reoccupied later that evening.
The Red Cross has responded to assist the displaced families. The gas company remains on the scene, working to secure the leak. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues, with the next update expected at noon today.
