Five people are homeless and the family dog is dead after a fire on the 6900 block of Signal Hill Road at 1 p.m. today.
The home was not occupied at the time of the fire and a passerby spotted the fire and called 911, said Prince William Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Joe Robertson.
The fire started in the basement of the single family home, and damage is set at $100,000.
The fire marshals office investigated and determined the fire was accidental. Fireplace ashes were left in a paper bag.
Robertson reminds residents to place fireplace ashes in a metal container placed away from structures.
Wetting the ashes in useful, as it can take days for discarded ashes to completely cool.
Staff reports
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement