A sequence of events led to the side of an apartment building in the Long Branch Creek neighborhood catching on fire Monday evening.
The Arlington County Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on the 2400 block of 27th Court S. around 7:30 p.m. Residents were evacuated as firefighters worked to extinguish the smoky fire.
Within minutes, the flames were out and the cleanup work was starting.
ACFD spokesman Capt. Justin Tirelli tells ARLnow that the blaze was caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials” that caught mulch on fire and subsequently spread to the vinyl siding of the building. From there, the flames crept up the side of the building and burned the plywood under the siding.
The fire was quickly extinguished, no one was injured, and no residents were displaced. Tirelli said the incident “seems accidental” and no charges are pending.
#BREAKING – structure fire, 2400 block of 27th Ct S. Fire reported on exterior of structure with moderate amount of smoke entering bldg. Crews extinguishing from exterior and evacuating residents. No injuries reported at this time. Please stay clear while units are working. pic.twitter.com/iuWqJVpFRn
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 11, 2020