Nearby: Fire Destroys Great Falls Home

by Karen Goff — November 16, 2015 at 9:30 am 7 Comments

An 11,000-square-foot house was destroyed by fire early Monday morning in Great Falls, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators said.

Units responded to the fire 151 River Park Lane about 1 a.m.

When they arrived, firefighters encountered a large one-story home fully involved with fire. The home is located in a non-hydrant area of Great Falls, and fireighters called for additional tankers and resources. It took units several hours to bring the fire under control, fire officials said.

The six-bedroom, 8.5-bath home was for sale and not occupied. One firefighter was transported for a non-life threatening injury.

The home is a complete loss and the fire is under investigation.

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

Max

So you build a several million dollar mansion on a lot with no fire hydrant access? Brilliant idea.
- Greg
  
  Great Falls fought “city” water and sewer services for decades so that sprawling development would be kept away. Without city water, there can be no pressurized hydrants.
  
  Even in cities with water service, hydrants can freeze or be inoperative as hundreds were in DC leading to several uncontrollable blazes in Georgetown and other parts of the district. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/17/AR2007051702491.html
- Karen Goff
  
  That is pretty much standard practice for rural homes on large lots. They have well/septic service and are too far from city/county water lines.
Sibyl

Is the fact that there are no fire hydrants have anything to do with the
fact that all of the homes in Great Falls use well water? Also, you
could have fit 10 of my homes in that house! Glad no one was hurt.
Chuck Morningwood

So glad that no one was home. My wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured firefighter.
Sniffer

Very expensive vacant house for sale catches fire and is totally destroyed. Besides the stench of the burnt building, I smell possible insurance fraud. I’m sure fire investigators will be taking a close look.
TRS

Here it is in its for sale glory — http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/151-River-Park-Ln-Great-Falls-VA-22066/51698352_zpid/

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