|
Eighteen people living in this home on Vista Woods Road in Stafford escaped injury when a smoke alarm woke them up. |
BY KEITH EPPS
Stafford County fire officials are crediting a smoke alarm with saving lives during a fire yesterday that destroyed a home and displaced 18 residents.
The fire erupted about 3:40 a.m. at 35 Vista Woods Road in the Garrisonville area, Lt. Mark Stone of Stafford fire and rescue services said.
The fire, which was started by an improperly disposed of cigarette outside the home near the porch, did an estimated $244,000 worth of damage.
All 18 residents--10 adults and eight children--escaped after a fire alarm woke them up. Only one resident was injured; she suffered non-life-threatening injuries after she got out through a first-floor window, Stone said.
"We cannot overstate the importance of having working smoke alarms," Stafford Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown said. "It is clear that an early-warning device saved lives during this incident."
The fire was already showing through the roof when the first of numerous firefighters arrived on the scene.
Four automobiles and a recreational vehicle were also damaged in the fire, along with the exterior siding of a neighbor's home.
The Red Cross is assisting the victims.
Meanwhile, Stafford code compliance officers are investigating whether any county laws were violated by having so many people in one home.
Court records show that the 2,076-square-foot home is owned by Santos Corras and Ninfa Salguero and had three full baths and four bedrooms.
Stone said the house was being rented and that the owners were not there when the fire broke out.
Cathy Riddle, county spokeswoman, said an investigation began yesterday. She said both the owners and the renter could be issued citations if violations are found.
The code also allows the county to take violators to court if they refuse to vacate the property, but in this case the home was destroyed.
"We're just glad they're all safe," Riddle said. "That was our No. 1 priority."
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
