Wednesday, April 29, 2015

EXPLOSIONS AND 3-ALARM FIRE RIPS THROUGH QUALITY INN IN FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA; HUNDREDS EVACUATED, HOTEL A TOTAL LOSS







APRIL 26, 2015

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA

About 200 people were evacuated overnight after what has been described as “a big explosion” at the Quality Inn Hotel in Fort Belvoir.

“We heard a kaboom and it woke us up. It rocked the town home,” said Nancy Robertson, who lives a half-mile away from the Quality Inn on U.S. 1 in Fairfax County.

Fire crews from all across the county arrived at the hotel n Fort Belvoir at about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, and found the hotel well engulfed in flames.

Fairfax County Assistant Fire Chief John Caussin told WTOP on the scene that the fire looks to have started in a utility room, perhaps an exploded transformer or boiler.  It took hours for firefighters to put out the blaze, which did significant damage to the hotel.

One person was injured and a firefighter suffered minor burns. NBC 4 reported Sunday morning that several people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

Inspectors say the hotel is a complete loss and crews expect to be on the scene for several more hours as the roof and other parts of the building have collapsed. 200 Displaced guests are at nearby hotels, and Red Cross is on the scene to assist.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Randy Bittinger said several floors in the hotel collapsed; the entire building has been condemned and declared a total loss. Due to the threat of recurring hot spots, Fairfax County will keep a fire truck at the site Sunday night.   

Bittinger said the fire is an electrical fire, it started in the electrical rook in the first floor.  The electrical nature of the fire made it tough to battle. Virginia Power also responded to the scene.