Occupant Escapes House Fire Wednesday Night in Vienna Area

A person escaped a fire Wednesday night in the Vienna area with no injuries, after unattended food caused a fire at their home on Larkin Lane. Another person who also lives there wasn't home at the time.

The single-family home, located in the 8100 block of Larkin Lane near Gallows Road in the Vienna area of Fairfax County, saw about $50,000 in damage.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to the fire at approximately 7 p.m., according to a news release from the fire department.

When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found smoke and fire coming from the three-story, end-unit townhouse. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack and quickly brought the fire under control. 

The fire department reports that there were no working smoke alarms in the home. 

The two occupants were displaced and Red Cross is assisting them.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offers these kitchen safety tips:

·     Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

·    Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire or get caught on pot handles.

·    Keep things that can catch fire such as dish towels, curtains, or paper, at least three feet away from the stove.

·    Do not leave cooking food unattended. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

·    Turn pot handles inward, facing the wall to prevent burns caused by overturning or spills.

·    Pot holders or oven mitts prevent burns when handling hot dishes.

·    Regularly clean your cooking equipment so that there are no cooking materials, food items or grease accumulation.

·    Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not remove the lid until it is completely cool.

·     If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.