Fire crews battled an overnight house fire that began just before midnight Thursday in the upstairs of a home along Hillwood Place in Charlottesville.
Firefighters encountered flames and smoke and had to evacuate the area because of an arcing power line overhead. Everyone in the house escaped without injury.
The two alarm fire required crews from both the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County to fight the blaze.
Hillwood Place was closed at the intersection with Kerry Lane for several hours.
Charlottesville Fire Department Statement
Fire crews remained on site most of the night seeking out fire in walls, under floors and in ceiling areas.
Asst. Fire Marshal Steve Walton reported this morning that the fire cause appears to have been electrical in nature and the origin of the fire was in the sunroom.
Residents of the house reported that they could see fire and smoke outside the house when they called 911. This put the firefighters at a disadvantage because the fire had a head start and already extended into several areas of the house. Thankfully, the 911 dispatcher quickly advised the residents to evacuate; fortunately they did and no one was injured. The fire quickly traveled through the walls and into the attic. Soon after firefighters arrived and began FF operations, an exterior electrical line to the house began arcing violently with sparks flying down on firefighters. Firefighters had to change their attack on the fire until VA Power could secure power to the house.
There is extensive fire, smoke and water damage to a number of areas in the house. At one point when the lower roof section became weak and collapsed inward, the aerial ladder was used to flow an elevated water stream to knock down the intense fire.
At last word, the residents were relocated to a neighbor's home. I would like to note one observation. The outpouring of support by neighbors was nothing short of inspirational as they came out in force to support their neighbors in their time of need.
The fire went to a second alarm with 5 City engine companies, 1 aerial ladder company, CARS, Seminole Trail, East Rivanna and Albemarle County units. Multiple chief officers were at the scene. City PD maintained perimeter control and traffic for safety.
Charles Werner
