Roanoke County, Virginia – In an incident that unfolded in Roanoke County on Thursday morning, a fire engulfed a residential property, causing significant damage but fortunately, there were no injuries, as confirmed by the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue team.
Firefighters were dispatched promptly at 8:07 a.m. to an address on the 400 block of Hedgelawn Avenue. Upon arrival, they were greeted with a sight of faint smoke emanating from the facade of a multi-level residence.
At the time of the blaze, the dwelling was occupied by four individuals – two adults and two children. Miraculously, all of them managed to evacuate the premises safely. Additionally, the family pets, comprising of two dogs and a cat, were also retrieved unharmed. The unfortunate event led to the displacement of five individuals.
According to the team on site, the fire was brought under control within an estimated 15 minutes. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire had its origin in the kitchen, likely due to food being left unattended while cooking.
Interestingly, the Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office reported that no smoke alarms were triggered during the incident. The office credited the containment of the fire to the speedy and proficient response of the firefighters and the inhabitants’ prudent act of shutting the door while making their exit. This swift action helped save the remaining portions of the house from being devoured by the fire.
In light of this event, the Fire Marshal’s Office took the opportunity to reiterate the significance of installing functional smoke alarms within residential buildings. They emphasized the importance of vigilance while cooking, particularly when using a stovetop.
The incident, while not resulting in any loss of life, did incur substantial financial damage. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has estimated the cost of the damage to be in the vicinity of $50,000.
