Warren County firefighters fight three fires in three days, urge safety in disposing of trash

 Burger King blaze battled

The last three days proved to be busy for Warren County Fire and Rescue personnel, as crews battled a blaze each day, beginning Saturday afternoon when units were dispatched to the Burger King Restaurant at 412 South Street in Front Royal around 3:00 p.m.  Saturday afternoon, for a reported grease fire.   

Units arrived to find flames and dense black smoke coming from the roof of the restaurant.  Firefighters determined that all employees and restaurant patrons were evacuated and unharmed.  Firefighters managed to contain the fire to the grease collection system of the restaurant, according to a Monday afternoon media release from Warren County Fire Chief Richard E.  Mabie. 

 The incident was investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office, which determined that the fire originated in the rooftop exhaust system for the deep-fat fryer.  The fire spread into the building via the exhaust system, which caused the fire suppression system to activate, preventing further spread of the fire, according to the release.  

Upon investigation, Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico determined that an additional fire suppression system was not working properly and needed immediate repair, according to the release.  

Based on the damages caused by the fire and the needed repair of the additional fire suppression system, the restaurant was closed to the public.  

The release stated that the blaze caused an estimated $20,000 in direct fire damages, as well as an undetermined amount of loss of product and revenue.   

 Guard Hill Road apartment fire under investigation

On Sunday evening firefighters were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire at 1904 Guard Hill Road at 8:32 p.m.  Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a detached apartment fully engulfed in flames and threatening the adjoining residence and nearby parked vehicles.  

The media release states that Firefighters were able to quickly control the fire and limit damages to the adjoining structure and one vehicle.   

The apartment’s sole occupant was asleep at the time and suffered smoke inhalation. He was treated on scene, then transported to a local hospital before being flown to Washington Hospital Center for further medical evaluation and treatment.  

Chief Mabie stated in the media release that the cause of the fire incident is being investigated by the fire marshal’s office.   Investigators determined that the structure was not equipped with any working smoke alarms.  Moreover, the occupant was able to escape the home but once outside, reentered the burning structure in an attempt to save personal possessions.  

Fire Chief Richard E. Mabie stated, “these two actions could have proved deadly; they should serve as a reminder that a working smoke alarm could make all the difference and once outside of a burning structure, never go back inside, no matter the reason.”       

Anyone with information with regarding the Guard Hill Road fire is asked to contact Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico at 540-636-3830 or email gmaiatico@warrencountyfire.com.      

Firefighters Battle Trash Fire at Bentonville Transfer Station 

At 10:12 a.m. on Monday morning, a fire was reported in a cargo trailer at the Bentonville Transfer Station on Shangri-La Road.   

Firefighters arriving on scene discovered an open-top cargo trailer on fire.  According to the written statement, it contained over 23 tons of garbage and appeared to be smoldering at the base of the contents.  

Firefighters opted to empty the contents of the trailer onto the tipping floor of the transfer station to provide direct access to the fire.  The crews were able to contain the fire to a small amount of the contents.   

There were no reported injuries in any of the incidents.   

The Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services and the Warren County Department of Solid Waste encourages all citizens to use best practices when deposing items in the trash.   Materials improperly placed into the trash can be significant fire hazards, capable of starting fires when mixed in loads of waste in refuse collection trucks or while the waste is being processed at the County of Warren Transfer Station.  

To reduce the risk for trash fires, do not place the following materials in your trash: 

• Flammable or combustible liquids (such as gasoline, oil-based paints, or kerosene) 
• Hazardous materials (including items such as ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, paint thinners, etc.) 
• Canisters containing propellants (including butane or propane) 
• Cylinders containing compressed gas (such as propane, helium, oxygen, acetylene or fire extinguishers) 

• Rechargeable batteries (which contain heavy metals, including lithium, nickel cadmium or lead-acid) 
• Ashes (from fireplaces, fire pits or barbeque grills)  
• Unknown substances (will be managed as Household Hazardous Waste) 
• The danger is that when these types of items are mixed, or come in contact with, other substances that could be in the trash, the combination can be volatile and catch fire. 

These items should be properly disposed during the County of Warren Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, or other special collection processes available at the Bentonville Transfer Station.  For more information, visit www.warrencountyva.net/solid-waste or contact Solid Waste Manager Jamie Lentz at jlentz@warrencountyva.net.