Virginia Firefighters Attack Townhouse Blazes

At 1:16 a.m., Manassas Park Fire & Rescue along with units from Manassas and Prince William County were dispatched to a townhouse fire in the 200 block of Kirby Street.

Police arrived within minutes and reported heavy fire from the rear of a row of three- story townhouses. Officers started evacuating residents. The first arriving fire officer immediately called a second alarm reporting heavy fire conditions spreading to adjacent units.

A brief interior attack was initiated but due to deteriorating conditions, crews were evacuated. A defensive operation was implemented. Due to the heavy fire in the rear of the townhouse of origin, the natural gas service meter/line failed from the intense heat. This gas-fed fire delayed firefighters' efforts.

Two residents were treated and released on the scene by EMS for minor issues. A total five units were damaged by the fire, displacing 15 residents.

Four chief officers, six engines, three ladders, a Quint, two heavy rescues, two ALS units and a BLS ambulance responded to the incident.