Crime & Safety

Mount Vernon Commercial Building Fire Deemed Accidental

The cause was improperly installed electrical wiring.

The fire that broke out Sunday afternoon at the commercial building housing Friendly's Rent-A-Car located at 8145 Richmond Hwy. in Mount Vernon was determined to be an accidental electrical fire.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a structure fire call on Sunday at approximately 5:20 p.m. The building contained three businesses.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the outside electrical power meter of the two-story building, according to a press release issued by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fire was rapidly spreading up the vinyl siding and into the second floor; firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack from the exterior and interior of the second floor and extinguished the fire in approximately ten minutes. There were no injuries.

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Damage is estimated at $30,000, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by improperly installed electrical wiring involving the electrical meter.

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Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offers the following electrical safety tips:

  • Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.
  • Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
  • If your power goes out a lot or the lights in your home flicker, smell bad, or make noise, have an electrician come in to inspect your wiring.   
  • The electrical outlet in the bathroom should have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).  This is a tool that protects you from dangerous shock when water and electricity come together.  An electrician can install a GFCI for you.
  • All electrical outlets and switches should be covered by “face plates.”
  • When possible, avoid the use of “cube taps” and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.
  • Inspect electrical cords to make sure they are in good condition.
  • Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
  • Don’t tie or knot electrical cords.
  • Don’t let furniture sit on electrical cords.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.

Read more:

Fire Breaks Out at Friendly's Rent-A-Car in Mount Vernon Sunday


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