(Updated at 2:35 p.m.) Firefighters from Arlington and surrounding areas battled a large fire at an apartment building this morning.
The fire broke out at The Citizen at Shirlington Village apartment building, on the 3000 block of S. Randolph Street, around 6 a.m.
“[I] was woken up this morning by the small of smoke,” said Lucie Melahn, a Shirlington resident, who described “seeing huge flames.” She said the fire department arrived about five minutes after she was woken up by the smoke.
A tower of flames could be seen coming from the apartment complex’s roof, and the resulting column of smoke could be seen from a distance away.
The Arlington County Fire Department described the blaze as “a large attic fire.” It was brought under control by firefighters by 6:35 a.m. No injuries were reported.
One resident said the fire appears to have started in an air conditioning unit on the third floor of the building.
ACFD says several dozen residents may be displaced as a result of the fire. A heavy fire department and police presence remained on scene as investigators try to determine the cause of the blaze.
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which is based nearby, said it is caring for the pets of some of the affected residents.
Sgt Ballena is on scene providing food/water to pets and their families. A few families with pets are sheltering in our building for the time being. Thank you @ArlingtonVaFD ! https://t.co/rye54akELX
— AWLArlington, VA (@AWLAArlington) May 24, 2021
More from social media:
Large attic fire has been knocked down. Units are using the ladder pipe on the truck. pic.twitter.com/uwhw8AkSAJ
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 24, 2021
Many thanks to our partners with @AlexandriaVAFD @FortMyerFire @ffxfirerescue @VARedCross @ReadyArlington @ArlingtonVaPD for their assistance in quickly bringing this large fire under control and assisting the displaced residents.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 24, 2021