Manassas volunteer firefighter helps fire victims to safety

Two people and their dog were displaced after their Manassas apartment caught fire around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Officials said the fire at their apartment, located at 8393 Buttress Lane, was caused by a 30-year-old man who fell asleep in his living room after he put a pot on a hot stove.

The second occupant, a 29-year-old woman, was asleep in a bedroom. She smelled smoke coming from the kitchen and called 911, Manassas Fire Marshal Francis J. Teevan said in a released statement.

A neighbor, Joseph B. Jankowski, who is also a volunteer firefighter in Prince William County, smelled smoke and went to investigate.

He heard screams coming from the apartment, Teevan said.

Jankowski used his own fire extinguisher to put out the fire, which had already spread to the kitchen cabinets and range hood.

He also searched the rest of the apartment and saw that everyone made it out safely, Teevan said.

Manassas fire and rescue crews, along with Prince William and Manassas Park firefighters, showed up shortly after and put out the remainder of the flames.

The damage to the apartment is estimated to be at $25,000.

No one was injured in the blaze. The two victims and their dog are being assisted by the Red Cross.

- Uriah A. Kiser