Fire Department to Host Virtual Open Houses — During Fire Prevention Week, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will host several interactive activities and virtual events beginning Monday, Oct. 5. The event replaces open house events typically held at local fire and rescue stations. [FCFRD]
Robbery Investigation Underway in Herndon — A man stole a wallet from a victim while he was sitting in his car shortly after midnight on Sept. 19 in the 1200 block of Elden Street. The case is under investigation. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Forest Salamander Survey Underway at Riverbend Park — “During the ‘Salamanders Undercover’ program, learn about the secret lives of these important amphibians through hands-on discoveries. The program runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and is designed for children age 7 to 12. The cost is $10 per child.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A two-story, single-family home in Reston caught fire on Sept. 19, displacing two occupants and leaving approximately $65,500 in damages.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department dispatched units to the 11500 block of Greenwich Point Road at 5:17 on Saturday after receiving a report of a house fire.
Witnessing fire on the house’s roof when they arrived on the scene, responders worked to control the fire from the building’s exterior before transitioning inside to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was accidental in nature, resulting from an electrical event that started in the interior wall of a second-floor bedroom, the department reported in a news update on Wednesday.
According to the fire and rescue department, two occupants were home at the time of the fire. They self-evacuated after a neighbor who observed flames on the roof alerted them to the fire, which did not activate smoke alarms due to its location in the house.
No civilian or firefighter injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department plans to continue its decades-long tradition of offering open houses and community activities during Fire Prevention week in early October.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FCFRD will host a virtual open house on Saturday, Oct. 10 and virtual activities during the week of Oct. 5.
The department will host several activities surrounding this year’s theme, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”
Here’s more on the events:
Join us for a fun-filled week of fire safety, all virtual activities and special “Behind-the-Scenes” features! Please register online to be eligible for daily prizes, perks, and to enjoy our specially prepared weekly selections! Register here:Â Virtual Fire Prevention Week 2020Â Â
Once registered you will be sent a packet containing related safety materials and special items including a FCFRD branded kitchen timer and oven mitt. You do not need to register to participate in the week’s events but registering allows you to be eligible for daily prizes and other perks.
The complete schedule of events is available online.
Flu Shots Available at Giant Food Stores in Reston — “Giant Food announced Monday flu shots are available at in-store pharmacies, including locations in the Reston area. The flu vaccines are administered by Giant pharmacists and do not require an appointment.” [Reston Patch]
County Fire Chief Selected for Award — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief John Butler has been selected as a recipient of the 2020 International Association of Fire Chiefs President’s Awards of Recognition.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Underwhelming Response to Sale of Comscore — “ComScore, based at Reston Town Center, has been pursuing a sale since late 2019. Comscore Inc.’s attempt to sell itself has hit some snags — its potential suitors’ offers thus far have been underwhelming, it said in new Securities and Exchange Commission filings.” [Washington Business Journal]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Local six-year-old twins were recognized this week by the Fairfax County Police Department for their heroism last summer.
The twins, Ethan and Ella, rescued a child who sank to the bottom of a pool at a house party in Reston.
FCPD said the siblings swam to the bottom and brought the child to the surface “without hesitation.” Parents began CPR on the child, who was blue and unresponsive.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department took over and the child was resuscitated.
The police department presented the twins with a certificate of appreciation for their heroic actions.
“The twins began swimming at three years old. Their talent and determination faced the ultimate test and they succeeded,” FCPD said.
Photo via FCPD
Construction on Station 25 in Reston has officially begun, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Steelwork began earlier this week on the $14.8 million project. Voters approved funding for the station via a bond referendum in 2015.
The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021. A temporary fire station has been set up at 1800 Cameron Glen Drive.
The old facility was demolished earlier this year to make way for a larger facility. The new station is double the size of the previous site and features two stories with administrative offices, a dayroom, kitchen, storage and bunk rooms.
Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
A 17-year-old from Silver Spring, Md. died from an apparent drowning in Lake Audubon late last night (Thursday).
Several teens were swimming in the water when the teenage boy went underwater and did not resurface. Rescue crews began searching the scene with the assistance of a helicopter shortly before 9 p.m. yesterday. His body was found roughly one hour later.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsy results are pending, but detectives do not suspect foul play.
“We dispatched our police chaplains last night to help console this community and we cannot imagine the grief and pain that this family is experiencing. They are certainly in our thoughts,” an FCPD spokesperson told Reston Now.
In recent weeks, county officials have urged residents to avoid swimming in lakes and other areas where swimming is typically prohibited. Some swimmers have been spotted in Reston lakes in recent days.
Lake Audubon is located in South Reston near South Lakes Village Center and Lake Thoreau.
Units currently on scene in the 2000 block of Beacon Heights Drive in Reston, Lake Audubon.
Technical Rescue Team searching for a juvenile that disappeared under water. @FairfaxCountyPD helicopter and K9’s assisting. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/63xz8gKUiI— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) June 26, 2020
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Fire investigators say that a fire at North Point Village Center last week was caused by a lightning strike.
The June 11 fire was contained to the former location of The Boston Market, which has been vacant since July.
No injuries were reported and no occupants were present during the incident. Fire and rescue crews responded to the scene after a delivery person noticed the flames from the roof at around 3 a.m. that day.
The incident resulted in nearly $75,000 in damages, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
A fire also occurred on the roofline of the same building in August 2019.
Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Improperly discarded fireworks caused nearly $80,000 in damages to a Herndon home on Sunday (June 13).Â
No injuries were reported at the home on the 13100 block of Rounding Run Circle.
According to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the fire started in the garage where fireworks were improperly discarded.
The fire department is encouraging residents to dispose fireworks using the same procedure for fireplace ashes. Fireworks should be placed in a metal container, doused with water, and covered with a metal lid away from the house.Â
Four residents, who were home at the time, were displaced due to the incident. The fire was largely limited to the attached garage.
This is the second fire this year caused by improper disposal of fireworks.
Photos via FCFRD
A fire broke out in North Point Village Center around 3 a.m. today (Thursday).
Crews from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department quickly extinguished the fire, which was primarily isolated to the building’s roof.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No injuries were reported.
Damages are estimated at $75,000.Â
The village center was also vandalized with swastikas and other graffiti last month.
Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Community Parade to Celebrate Lake Anne Graduates — This Friday, a community parade to celebrate Lake Anne’s sixth grade graduates will take place at 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to practice safe social distancing and wear facial coverings to avoid spreading COVID-19. [Reston Association]
‘Wrong Man’ Stunned in County Assault Case — “Prosecutors in Fairfax County, Virginia, told a judge on Tuesday that Officer Tyler Timberlake, who has been charged with assault and battery after using his stun gun last week, shocked a man he mistakenly thought he recognized.” [WTOP]
Local Fire Department’s Hosts Blood Drives — “Several Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Volunteer Fire Departments are partnering with Inova Blood Donor Services to hold blood drives in their fire station parking lots.
Photo by Ellen Huber
A medical rescue is underway in Roland Clarke Place, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Crews are working to rescue a patient from roughly 160 feet at a building on the 1900 block of Roland Clarke Place.
As of around 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, the patient was being lowered to the ground.
Units currently on scene of an elevated rescue in the 1900 block of Roland Clarke Place in Reston area. Person having medical emergency in crane 160 feet up. Technical Rescue Team preparing to lower patient to ground. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/taqloYTib3
— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) June 2, 2020
Officials from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department are investigating the case of a fire at a Reston townhouse over the weekend.
A unit on the 2200 block of Double Eagle Court caught fire on Sunday (May 7). Multiple units responded during the incident.
A firefighter was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
The department has not yet indicated what caused the incident. The fire was contained to one unit.
Photo by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Reston Association Hosts Virtual Pet Fashion Show — Dress up your pets for the virtual fashion show. Voting is open online tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. A winner will be selected each day with the highest number of likes on posts. The show is only open to RA members. [Reston Association]
Fairfax Connector Passengers Urged to Wear Face Masks — The county’s transportation department is now asking all. Passengers to use non-medical f ace coverings or cloth masks in order to slow the spread o f COVID-19. Although masks are strongly encouraging, no one without a covering will be denied entry to Fairfax Connector buses. [Fairfax County Government]
Maintain Clear Access to Exits — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department urges businesses to maintain clear access to all exits. The department has received several messages voicing concerns about blocked, locked or otherwise restricted exits. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says that seven of its members have tested positive for the coronavirus, two of which have recovered. Five personnel are currently battling the illness.
The information about the cases was released yesterday (April 14).
The department said that a nurse at Fairfax County’s Occupational Health Center is monitoring all personnel. If there are any concerns about exposure to the public or specific individuals, the department will provide notifications accordingly.
In addition to the number of confirmed cases, seven members remain in quarantine due to possible exposure. Known cases were tested at a site for first responders or through a private physician.
Despite impacts on personnel, the department “continues to fully staff all stations and apparatus,” according to a statement.
The department has not disclosed the assigned work locations of the members under quarantine.
