fire | FFXnow

Criminal activity suspected in fire at Fairfax County search and rescue training facility

Published June 30, 2026 at 8:30AM

Surveillance footage of people at Virginia Task Force 1's training site in Lorton before a fire (via FCFRD/X)

While Virginia Task Force 1 remains busy combing through rubble in Venezuela for potential survivors of the earthquakes that devastated the country last week, Fairfax County officials are investigating a fire at its training facility in Lorton.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, which sponsors the federally funded urban search and rescue team, responded to the 9900 block of Furnace Road at around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday (June 27) after receiving reports that “a large column of black smoke” was issuing from the training facility.

News

First responders honored for saving Bren Mar Park Elementary from fire

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 1, 2026 at 10:00AM

Bren Mar Park Elementary School students thank firefighters and FCPS personnel (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Bren Mar Park Elementary School students, staff and PTA leaders gathered last Friday (May 29) to thank those who saved their school the previous month.

The full school community turned out to welcome Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department personnel and those from Fairfax County Public Schools’ facilities team who responded to the April 19 two-alarm blaze on the roof of a new addition to the school.

News

FCFRD: Herndon-area apartment fire started by smoking materials in mulch

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responds to fire at the Kendrick Court Senior Apartments in McNair (via FCFRD)

Three people were forced out of their homes last week by an apartment fire in the Herndon area that investigators say resulted from improperly discarded smoking materials.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched at 12:42 p.m. last Wednesday (April 15) for reports of an outdoor fire that was spreading to the Kendrick Court Senior Apartments building (13430 Coppermine Road) in McNair.

News

UPDATED: Bren Mar Park Elementary deemed OK to open after two-alarm fire

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 19, 2026 at 4:20PM | Updated April 20, 2026 at 12:21AM

Smoke from fire at Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Lincolnia (courtesy Dave Statter/X)

A two-alarm fire broke out at Bren Mar Park Elementary School in Lincolnia this afternoon (Sunday), sending a sizable plume of black smoke into the air.

Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the two-story school at 6344 Beryl Road around 3:22 p.m. for a building fire, according to the county’s emergency scanner.

Countywide

Freeze Warning and elevated fire threat issued for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated April 7, 2026 at 2:43PM

A dusting of ice on a shrub with berries (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a warmer-than-usual start to spring, the D.C. region is expected to be hit overnight with a throwback blast of winter.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for much of the area, including Fairfax County, starting at midnight and continuing until 9 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

Around Town

Glory Days Grill not reopening in Merrifield after fire, new tenant sought

By Emily Leayman

Published February 24, 2026 at 1:45PM

Glory Days at 3059 Nutley Street in Merrifield's Providence Place shopping center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Months after an August 2025 fire, Glory Days Grill has decided to make its closure in Merrifield permanent.

The sports bar, located at the Providence Place shopping center (formerly the Pan Am Shopping Center), announced the closure in an email to customers. A Fairfax County notice posted outside the 3059 Nutley Street restaurant deemed it unsafe to occupy following the Aug. 22, 2025 kitchen fire.

News

Some Centreville homes cleared for residents to return after gas leak evacuations

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2026 at 8:30AM

Washington Gas and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in Centreville's Belle Pond Farm neighborhood, which was evacuated after a natural gas explosion (photo by Phil Foss)

Residents have started to return to the Centreville neighborhood that was evacuated last week after a gas leak fueled an explosion and fire that consumed one home.

As of noon yesterday (Sunday), Washington Gas has restored service to 44 homes determined to be clear for re-entry, 42 of which have seen occupants return, the utility said in an afternoon update.

News

Centreville residents still seeking answers after home explosion

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published February 17, 2026 at 4:45PM

Workers inspect gas lines near the intersection of Buggy Pond Drive and Quail Pond Court in Centreville on Feb. 17 after a home explosion (photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Cami Minks was getting ready for bed in her Centreville home on a quiet Sunday night, when suddenly, her house vibrated from the sound of an enormous explosion.

“I thought it was a bomb,” Minks, a resident of the Belle Pond neighborhood, recalled. “It was that loud. It shook everything.”

News

Fire at West Springfield townhome leads to death of 2 dogs

By Jared Serre

Published February 5, 2026 at 1:30PM

Firefighters respond to a townhome fire in West Springfield (photo via Fairfax Fire & Rescue)

Two dogs sustained grave injuries today (Thursday) in a West Springfield house fire.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a middle-unit townhome in the 5800 block of Rexford Drive shortly after 10 a.m.

News

West Springfield house fire injures four, including two firefighters

By Jared Serre

Published January 28, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County firefighters battle a house fire in the 7900 block of Jansen Ct in West Springfield (via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/X)

Four people were sent to the hospital today (Wednesday) due to injuries sustained in a West Springfield house fire.

The structure, located in the 7900 block of Jansen Court, appeared to go up in flames shortly after 7 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said.