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.