Several fires break out in Fairfax County; more than 100 displaced from senior living apartments

CENTREVILLE, Va. - Six residents and one firefighter were injured after several fires broke out in different areas of Fairfax County on Wednesday.

Fairfax County fire officials said it took crews nearly three hours to control a three-alarm blaze that consumed 75 units at the Forest Glen Senior Apartments on Woodmere Court in Centreville. The fire started at around 1 p.m.

"I just finished lunch and all of a sudden, the alarms went off," said resident Les Esmond. "Somebody knocked on my door, we had to leave. Apparently, there was a fire on the roof."

Esmond and his wife called their daughter to tell her about the devastating fire.

"I was at Walmart and I could see the smoke and next thing my mom is calling me saying the apartment is on fire," said Shannon Esmond. "It's like a numbing feeling for all these people. But at least Fairfax County is quick. We have resources here when compared to some other communities. They don't have fire stations seconds around the corner."

Firefighters evacuated the building with only a handful of non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said 124 residents have been displaced from their homes. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter about two miles away at the Cub Run RECenter for those who have been displaced.

"By assessing the damage visually here, it will be some time because it took a great amount of water to extinguish this fire," he said. "So that water I see will trickle down into the lower floors as well. It's safe to say it will be several weeks at least."

The cause of the remains under investigation. Smoke detectors, alarms and sprinklers were all reportedly working.

About two miles away, firefighters also worked to extinguish a fire to several townhomes in 5800 block of Watermark Circle and 1400 block of Beaumeadow Drive. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said two rows of homes became heavily engulfed in flames and one structure collapsed.

Fairfax County requested assistance from five other nearby jurisdictions to help assist with all of the fires. Around 80 firefighters fought the flames at each scene. One firefighter transported with a minor injury.

In Fairfax, firefighters also put out a fire at the United Bank in the 13000 block of Fair Lakes Shopping Center.

It's too early to tell if the fires are related or have any connection -- that is also under investigation.

The fires in Fairfax County came during the same afternoon as firefighters in Prince George's County also battled a three-alarm fire.