Triangle apartment fire displaces 23 people; resident and firefighter taken for medical treatment

Red Cross was called to the scene to assist 23 residents displaced by an apartment fire in the 18100 block of Kilmer Lane in Triangle, on Tuesday, April 28th. At approximately 11:30 p.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to the fire, according to a news release from Prince William County.

Upon arrival, crews observed smoke billowing from the roof of an apartment building. Firefighters made entry and extinguished the fire while proceeding to check for further extension; no further extension was found.

Several residents were home at the time of the fire and had safely evacuated the complex. One occupant escaped the fire by jumping from a third story window. That person was transported to a local medical facility for treatment of non-life threatening injuries due to the fall. In addition, one firefighter was transported for precautionary reasons but later released.

The Building Official was on scene and posted 11 units unsafe due to fire, smoke and water damage.

According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $275,000.

The origin of the fire was the kitchen; the cause was unattended cooking and has been determined as accidental.

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue reminds residents that smoke alarms save lives. You double your chances of surviving a fire when you install working smoke alarms in your home. Remember to:

• Install smoke detectors on every level within the home including the basement.

• Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries as needed.

• Change batteries when you change clocks (spring and fall).

• Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.