Virginia fire – Watchful Eye

After Devastating Fire, Stafford Fire Fighters Union Says Residents ‘Deserve Better’

12Aug

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News

After Devastating Fire, Stafford Fire Fighters Union Says Residents ‘Deserve Better’

On August 8, a residential fire ended in a total loss. It was an instance where every second counts, but help was too many minutes away, according to Stafford Professional Fire Fighters Local 4012. At about 1:45 a.m., Stafford County 2nd Battalion units were dispatched to the 100 block of Indian Point Road in Company 5’s first‑due area. However, the career‑staffed Tanker 1505 and Medic 1505 were at Company 2 at the time. They had relocated there “due to the ongoing untenable living conditions at the Brooke Volunteer Fire Department,” IAFF Local 4012 stated. The union claimed that being at Company 2 added about 10 additional minutes of travel time compared to if Tanker 1505 had been at Company 5. “By the time Engine 1502 arrived, heavy fire had already extended throughout the ho...

Contractor blamed for gas leak that caused Haymarket home explosion

16Oct

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News, Popular

Contractor blamed for gas leak that caused Haymarket home explosion

A natural gas leak caused the house explosion in Haymarket on Tuesday that displaced two families, Prince William County Fire & Rescue confirmed this afternoon. The first unit of firefighters arrived at the house in the 5900 blk of Coby Hunt Ct. at 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday and found a 2” gas line damaged and leaking after a private contractor that was replacing the water line to the home struck and ruptured the gas line, PWC Fire & Rescue reported. The initial responding unit immediately requested the assistance of Washington Gas and then evacuated the impacted home and others in the immediate area, the department stated. The leak was reportedly still active when the explosion occurred at approximately 5:36 pm. According to PWC Fire & Rescue, the gas company had been on si...

After South Hill fire, DEQ confirms water contamination, air testing remains underway

13Jul

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Biz & Life, Business, News

After South Hill fire, DEQ confirms water contamination, air testing remains underway

A multi-faceted response operation is still underway a week after fire ripped through a Nutrien Ag Solutions warehouse in South Hill. On July 6, a vehicle crashed into two propane tanks next to the warehouse, and one ruptured, DEQ reported. The propane ignited and spread to the Nutrien facility at 501 W. Danville St. where chemicals are stored. (Photo: South Hill VFD) Water contamination The South Hill Fire Department used several hundred thousand gallons of water to fight to the fire, said DEQ. The emergency responders weren’t able to stop the runoff, which included the chemicals. Nutrient Ag Solutions’ response contractor didn’t begin began collecting water running off the site until after the fire was extinguished, DEQ noted. But it was too late. The firefighters’ wate...

Man arrested and charged for setting fires in Chesterfield

13Jun

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Crime, News

Man arrested and charged for setting fires in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Fire Marshal’s Office believes the fires found along Iron Bridge Road on Monday were intentionally set. Just before 5 p.m. fire and EMS crews were dispatched for a report of a brush fire along Rt. 10 near Kingsland Rd. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found two separate fires, one on each side of the road, Chesterfield authorities reported. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS) To help gain control of the incident, Chesterfield Fire said it called in additional units and resources, including a bulldozer from the Virginia Department of Forestry. Both fires were marked under control at 6:18 p.m. But, in total, between two and three acres were burned, the department reported. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS) Chesterfield Fire Marshal’s Office c...

Packages up in flames: UPS facility in Chesterfield hit with 3-alarm fire

5Jun

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News

Packages up in flames: UPS facility in Chesterfield hit with 3-alarm fire

Many UPS packages will not be arriving due to a 3-alarm fire at a UPS warehouse in Chesterfield yesterday. Chesterfield Fire & EMS crews were dispatched to the 9600 block of Coach Road at 2:37 a.m. and report finding fire coming from a semi-truck trailer attached to the side of the warehouse. That trailer was among a line of others backed up to the building. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & Rescue) According to Chesterfield Fire & EMS, the blaze from the first trailer spread to three others and into the warehouse. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS) There were workers inside the building who all evacuated safely. No one was inside the trucks, Brian Warshawsky Chesterfield 201 Battalion Chief told WTVR CBS 6. The battle against the blaze lasted a little over a...

Dozens of firefighters battle astroturf blaze in Essex

21Feb

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News

Dozens of firefighters battle astroturf blaze in Essex

As of this morning, Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire Department (TEVFD) said the cause of a massive astroturf fire is unknown. TEVFD said crew was dispatched to an area at the back of Lagrange Industrial Park in Essex at about 4 p.m. where they found approximately 100 rolls of astroturf on fire. The department immediately requested mutual aid from Richmond County Volunteer Fire Department. TEVFD issued a message advising that numerous units would be working the call and asked the public to refrain from using Lagrange. In total, over 50 firefighters worked to tackle the blaze with TEVFD requesting assistance from a variety of sources, including Essex County EMS, Upper King and Queen VFD, Upper Middlesex VFD, Middlesex (Urbanna) VFD, Walkerton VFD, Essex County Sheriff’s Office and...

Investigation underway for Alexandria’s massive warehouse fire

4Jan

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News, Popular

Investigation underway for Alexandria’s massive warehouse fire

Over 100 firefighters battled a major blaze that started Tuesday at a strip warehouse located at 4407 Wheeler Ave. in Alexandria. At 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, a fire alarm was reported, but according to a statement from the City, the blaze quickly escalated into a major fire with intense flames ripping through the roof of the building. Wheeler Ave. was shut down in both directions between the 4000-4400 blocks. Alexandria Fire Dept. was assisted by surrounding jurisdictions in intensive firefighting operations that continued through the night into Wednesday. NBC Washington DC reported that the fire department said the fire was so large that they only battled it from outside of the warehouse. According to the City, the extended firefight was due, in large part, to hotspots ...