MVHS Student Dies from Injuries Sustained in House Fire

UPDATE/CORRECTION Dec. 13, 7:50 p.m.: The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Army and Fort Belvoir Fire and Rescue. Three families have had to relocate as a result of the fire, said Alicia Smith, Josh Guice's sister.

Smith added that one of the occupants was able to get out of the house before it was consumed by the fire, and that Guice sustained burns over 53 percent of his body. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that he sustained burns over 55 percent of his body. We apologize for the error.

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A student at succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire earlier this week.

Joshua Guice, a junior at MVHS, passed away Wednesday after sustaining injuries in a fire that broke out at Fort Belvoir early Tuesday morning.

"I also ask that you join the Major family in keeping the family in prayer," MVHS Principal Nardos King said in a message sent to the schoool community Thursday morning.

Fort Belvoir Fire and Rescue personnel reported to the scene of the fire at the Dogue Creek Villages shortly after midnight on Tuesday, the Belvoir Eagle reports.

Within five minutes on scene, the fire was under control and contained to the dwelling of origin, the Eagle reports. The two neighboring homes suffered smoke damage. Guice was transported to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and then to Washington Hospital Center with burns over 53 percent of his body and a brain injury.

"The news of [Guice's] passing came through this morning, and the community is devastated." said Lorelai Taylor, a Fort Belvoir resident who is organizing relief efforts for the fire's victims.

Guice's family also lost their three Pomeranians, whose barks alerted the family to the fire, according to Taylor.

"One family lost all their material goods in the fire. At least two families have to relocate because of smoke damage," Taylor said. "As a community we are coming together to give them a place to call home and work through the tragedy in the long run."

A Facebook page has been set up to collect donations for the four families impacted by the fire. Gift cards and monetary donations can be sent to:

Dogue Creek Community Management Office
C/O Carmen Adams
9629 Barlow Road
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060