Fire at Tysons Corner Center Garage — Firefighters extinguished a car fire that scorched part of a Tysons Corner Center parking garage and filled the area with smoke Saturday afternoon. [Twitter]
Fire Department Hiring Firefighter/EMTs — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will begin accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/EMT on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The application period is currently scheduled to remain open throughout 2019.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
‘Stuff the Bus’ on Track for Huge Haul — “By the time this year’s Stuff the Bus concludes on Feb. 18, the county expects to surpass 250,000 pounds of collected food.” [Fairfax Times]
Snow May Snarl Tuesday PM Commute — Per Fairfax County: “If you plan on commuting Tuesday evening, be aware of the potential for travel disruptions. Plan ahead by allowing for extra travel time, and consider using public transportation and telework options.” [Twitter, National Weather Service]
Update on 1/25/19: The fire started when a large tree fell onto power lines servicing the building, resulting in a power surge within the electrical panel located in the basement, said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. There were no injuries, but the damage from the fire is approximately $25,000.
(Updated at 2:25 p.m.) Firefighters are on scene of a two-alarm structure fire in the Town of Vienna.
The blaze broke out in a basement of the Pennywise Thrift Shop, at the intersection of Church and Mill streets, around 12:30 p.m. As of 1:05 p.m., firefighters on the scene said that the fire was still burning but was largely under control. As of 1:20 p.m., firefighters were removing portions of walls on the first floor, reporting that additional fire was burning in the walls.
Numerous road closures have been reported in the area. So far, no injuries have been reported.
The thrift shop has been open since 1961 and sells “affordable, lightly used clothing and household items,” according to its website. The store is run by Vienna’s Church of the Holy Comforter.
A tree fell on utility lines near the store, causing a hazard for firefighters, according to a fire department spokesperson, but it’s not clear whether that might have also helped to cause the fire.
As of 2 p.m., the fire was out and investigators were working to determine the cause.
One local resident told Tysons Reporter that she is concerned about how the thrift store will be able to recover and what will happen to everything inside.
“I’m worried about all of the merchandise in the thrift store there,” the resident said. “It’s probably all smoke damaged now.”
https://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyfirerescue/videos/vb.412016308855827/292026685004920
UPDATE – 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna. Fire is out. No injuries reported at this time. Second Alarm units returning to service. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/ik4Kme04MY
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
UPDATE – 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna with fire in the basement. Fire is under control. Crews checking for any extension of fire. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/xBsFN1o2gf
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
Due to response to a fire at Church and Mill streets, several roads and intersections in the area are currently closed. Please avoid the area if possible.
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) January 24, 2019
Units on scene 100 block of Church St NE in Vienna with fire in the basement. Second alarm requested. #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #news pic.twitter.com/ekxphlffVJ
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 24, 2019
Photo (8) via Google Maps
New Theater Coming to Tysons Galleria — “The soon-to-close Macy’s at Tysons Galleria will be replaced with multiple storefronts — including what appears to be an iPic movie theater — each with their own facade and materials to set them apart. That’s the word from a Fairfax County staff report published last week ahead of a planning commission hearing on an amended sign plan for the Galleria, which specifically addresses the 260,000-square-foot Macy’s. That store alone accounts for 30 percent of the upscale Galleria.” [Washington Business Journal]
Journalist’s Mosque Opposition Questioned — The leader of the community opposition to an expansion of the McLean Islamic Center’s prayer service is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. The Washington Post’s Paul Farhi asks: should mainstream journalists be taking activist stances against religious institutions, even in a community setting? [Washington Post]
McLean Fire Causes Extensive Damage — The manage estimate from Friday’s big house fire in McLean is $1.1 million. Three people were displaced by the fire. The cause is still under investigation, according to the Fairfax County Fire Department. [Facebook]
Positive Results for I-66 Tolls — “Since HOV lanes went into effect on I-66 one year ago, the results have been largely positive. Carpooling has increased, and motorists are traveling at higher speeds and experiencing fewer collisions thanks to less congestion.” [Greater Greater Washington, WTOP]
DXC Makes Another Acquisition — “Tysons-based DXC Technology announced Monday plans to acquire Luxoft Holding Inc. (NYSE: LXFT) in a deal worth roughly $2 billion. The New York-based Luxoft provides digital strategy consulting and engineering services for countries across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.” [Washington Business Journal, BusinessWire]
Photo courtesy @tysonspartners
(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) Firefighters battled a major, two-alarm house fire on Malta Lane in McLean this afternoon.
The fire broke out shortly after 1:30 p.m. on the 6600 block of Malta Lane, a narrow no-outlet street on the other side of Georgetown Pike from Langley High School. Firefighters from Fairfax County, Arlington County and Montgomery County were dispatched to the scene.
Initial reports suggest arriving units found heavy fire coming from the second floor of a large home, but struggled to find sufficient water pressure from hydrants in the area to battle the flames. Water tankers were subsequently dispatched to assist.
A partial collapse of the structure was reported, according to the Fairfax County Fire Department. The unsafe conditions delayed the search for victims inside the house, but all occupants have since been accounted for.
As of 2:45 p.m., most of the fire was out but firefighters were still trying to extinguish hot spots. The home has suffered “significant damage,” according to those on scene. Thus far, no injuries have been reported.
A fireground commander said he expects firefighters to remain on scene “for an extended period of time.” The county fire marshal’s office will be investigating the cause of the blaze.
https://twitter.com/LincolnACFD/status/1081267605040783361
Update 6600 block of Malta Lane: 2nd alarm requested for alternate water supply. Large house, heavy fire throughout, with exposures. Multiple lines stretched operating. Reported partial collapse #fcfrd pic.twitter.com/6mNQRHweUs
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 4, 2019
Thanks to @ArlingtonVaFD and @mcfrs for assistance on house fire on Malta Lane in McLean. #teamwork #fcfrd #news pic.twitter.com/ISLulfHz5R
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 4, 2019
Map via Google Maps
Fairfax County is putting together a comprehensive plan for public safety in the county’s use of unmanned aircraft and is looking for public feedback.
The Fairfax County Unmanned Aircraft Systems program is a proposal to incorporate drones into government operations, with a particular focus on public safety. The draft says examples of drone usage includes:
- Search and rescue
- Flooding assessments
- Pre- and post-disaster damage assessments
- Crash reconstruction
- Fire incident/scene management and investigations
- Hazardous materials responses
- Wildlife estimation
The draft also says the drones would not be used to conduct random surveillance activities or to harass individuals.
Six public meetings are scheduled to discuss the issue with representatives of the Office of Emergency Management, county attorney’s office, police and fire and rescue department. Presentations at each of the meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
- Jan. 14, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Mason District Governmental Center (Community Room)
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale - Jan. 16, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
South County Governmental Center (Room 221C)
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria - Jan. 23, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
McLean District Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean - Jan. 24, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Sully District Governmental Center
4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly - Jan. 28, 2019 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Reston Community Center – Hunter Woods
2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston - Jan. 30, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
Braddock Hall – Kings Park Library
9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke
Public comments can also be submitted to [email protected] before close-of-business on Feb. 8 to be included in the written record.
Photo via Flickr/Joe Loong
Tysons is getting too big for just one fire station.
The Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department is planning on constructing a new fire station to cover the growing Tysons East neighborhood.
The entire Tysons area is currently covered by Fire Station 29, which has become increasingly overburdened as new development adds new density and new challenges.
Laurie Stone, planning section manager for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, said the station is currently in the design process.
Stone said the fire station is being designed and constructed by Cityline Partners LLC, the company backing the Scotts Run Station South development. Cityline agreed to build the new station in exchange for winning permission to construct the new mixed-use development adjacent to the McLean Metro station.
“The Scotts Run Fire and Rescue Station 44 is proposed to be a two-level, three-bay free standing fire station located on Old Meadow Lane,” Stone wrote in an email. “Cityline will substantially complete the fire station and deliver it to Fairfax County by December 31, 2020.”
According to the staff report, a new athletic field will also be built adjacent to the planned fire station to be opened within three years of the fire station opening.
A woman was pinned between a minivan and a house after an unusual accident in McLean.
The crash happened in the driveway of the home on the 6800 block of Dean Drive, near Westmoreland Street, shortly before 1 p.m. Firefighters from Fairfax and Arlington counties used heavy equipment to free the woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
It was not immediately clear to rescuers how the crash happened, nor was it clear whether the woman had been driving the van or was simply standing next to it when it pinned her against the wall.
“It was probably just one of those weird things where something happened and she was stuck,” one first responder said.
The woman was transported via ambulance to Inova Fairfax Hospital.
During the rescue operation, a passerby stopped to see what was going on and remark on the number of emergency vehicles on the street.
“There was more response for this than for the double homicide here a few years ago,” she said.
The reindeer are getting the day off: Santa Claus is coming to Vienna on a fire truck.
From Dec. 12-19, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (VVFD) will be escorting Santa around the town in a 1946 Maxim fire engine.
“Look for Santa as he drives around the town’s residential streets,” said the VVFD in a press release. “When you hear the sirens and music and see the flashing lights, please come outside to see Jolly Old Saint Nick and to receive a candy cane from one of his honorary elves.”
According to the VVFD, Santa will be making the rounds to most Vienna neighborhoods, stopping at 5 p.m. in various parts of the town.
- Dec 12: Southwest Vienna between Park Street and Hillcrest Drive
- Dec 13: Northwest Vienna between Lawyers Road and W&OD trail
- Dec 14: Northeast Vienna between W&OD and Beulah Road
- Dec 15: Southwest Vienna west of Hillcrest Drive. Note: this will be the only scheduled Santa stop at 1 p.m. rather than 5 p.m.
- Dec 15: Northwest Vienna west of Madison High School and Lawyers Road
- Dec 18: Southeast Vienna east of Center
- Dec 19: Northeast Vienna east of Beulah Road
Santa will also make an appearance at a Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 15. The doors open at 8 a.m. and Santa will be available between 9:30-11 a.m.
Tickets to the breakfast are $8 for adults or &7 for seniors. Children ages 5-12 are $6 and those under 4 are free. All proceeds will benefit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.
Photo via Facebook
(Updated at 9:30 a.m.) Despite some dramatic photos, no one was injured in a fiery crash around 5 a.m. this morning (Tuesday) on the 8500 block of Georgetown Pike.
The single-vehicle crash happened just west of the entrance to the Madeira School and south of Great Falls Park. The car involved caught fire shortly after the collision, but its driver — the only person inside — was able to get out.
According to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, units from McLean, Great Falls, and Wolf Trap all responded to the crash and were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
The following article excerpt is from our content sharing partner, FairfaxNews.com.
Rain that pelted Fairfax County Saturday left several roads flooded, trapping some motorists in their cars.
Close to an inch and a half of rain was recorded at Dulles Airport in the twenty-four hours ending at 7 a.m. Sunday, most of it falling between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Fairfax County firefighters rescued two people who were trapped in their vehicle, just after midnight Sunday morning, at Browns Mill Rd and Windstone Dr. in Vienna.
Just after midnight this morning (11/25) units responded to Browns Mill Rd/Windstone Dr. in Vienna area for water rescue. 2 people were trapped in car. Station 39, North Point, crew conducted a shallow water crossing to remove the both. Both evaluated by EMS. No injuries. #fcfrd pic.twitter.com/csMy5QqQ1U
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 25, 2018
Read more at FairfaxNews.com
