Tuesday night house fire causes significant damage, displaces occupant

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at approximately 10:35 pm, the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services was dispatched to 1116 Summit Avenue in Front Royal for a reported residential structure fire.

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and reported a working fire on a covered porch of a single-story single family dwelling with a walkout basement. Firefighters were able to verify that the sole occupant of a basement apartment had self-evacuated and no other persons were inside the primary home upon their arrival. Firefighters were faced with significant fire conditions on the exterior of the home which were extending into the first floor and roof system of the residence. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire on the exterior portions and covered porch of the home.

Photos courtesy of Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Upon entering the home to initiate an interior fire suppression effort, firefighters recognized substantial storage of combustible and household materials in the first floor living and attic areas of the home which hampered interior fire suppression efforts. During the course of fire suppression efforts, firefighters were withdrawn from the home due to safety concerns and exterior fire suppression attempts were made with an elevated master stream which proved successful. It took firefighters over 1 hour and 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Firefighters remained on the scene through the early hours of Wednesday morning, performing extensive overhaul efforts. Multiple Warren County Fire Stations responded to the incident with assistance from Front Royal Police, Strasburg Fire, Middletown Fire, Chester Gap Rescue and Valley Medical Transport Units.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office. Fire Investigators have eliminated any suspicious circumstances and continue to investigate the incident. The fire caused a significant amount of damage to the property and its contents. The fire also rendered the home unlivable, causing the occupants to be displaced for an undetermined amount of time.

Fire Chief Richard E. Mabie stated “Our community has seen an increase in residential structure fires over the past several weeks. We remind our community to take simple safety steps towards protecting you, your family and your home from the dangers of fire.” Chief Mabie continued to state “this incident serves as a reminder for each of us to check our smoke alarm(s). Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test your smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year.”

Anyone with information with regards to this incident is asked to contact Fire Investigator/Captain Raymond Cross at 540-636-3830 or email rcross@warrencountyfire.com. To learn more information on how to best protect yourself, your family and home against the dangers of fire, visit www.warrencountyfire.com.