Shimmering Christmas decorations hanging on light poles in Manassas Park had to compete with the flashing lights of fire trucks Thursday as a fire ravaged the inside of a home at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Mace Court.
While no one was inside the home when the blaze broke out, the city's fire chief said the fire probably took the lives of at least two family pets.
The fire started in the two-story, single family home in the 300 block of Mace Court after 9 a.m. Neighbors said it quickly spread to the attached garage. By the time firefighters arrived, flames were shooting from windows on both floors.
"There was fire showing at the time we arrived, but we were able to knock it down fairly quickly," said Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Chief John O'Neal.
After the flames were doused, smoke still billowed from blackened window frames with melted plastic shutters on each side. The vinyl siding on the front of the home also melted.
At least four people identified as occupants of the home stood in the street looking through teary eyes at the burnt remains of the home as the Prince William Red Cross offered assistance and a place to stay at a local hotel.
O'Neal did not have information about the family's pets Thursday morning, and said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Carol Oliver, who lives across the street from the home, said she works with one of the residents at a local toy store. She called her to tell her that the house was on fire, she said.
"I saw the smoke and the flames, and by that time the fire trucks had already arrived," said Oliver.
The fire comes on the heels of another blaze that left a Woodbridge couple and eight children homeless on Tuesday.
Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.<p>
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement