6 arrested after fire causes $1 million in damage to Fairfax County training facility
6 suspects arrested after Lorton first responder facility fire
Six suspects were arrested after a fire at a Lorton first responder training facility.
LORTON, Va. - Three men and three teens are facing charges in connection with a fire that caused millions of dollars in damage at a Fairfax County training facility, police said.
What we know:
The fire at the Urban Search and Rescue training facility in Lorton was reported on June 27. Fire crews arrived to find a large storage building filled with commercial equipment fully engulfed in flames in the 9000 block of Furnace Road. No injuries were reported.
Fairfax County police chief calls search and rescue facility fire arson as suspect search continues (Fairfax County Fire/Rescue / @ffxfirerescue)
The fire destroyed heavy-duty equipment used to train for disaster responses. The facility is used for training by multiple departments and supports Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1).
Police said the fire caused an estimated $1 million to $1.3 million in damage.
"This is a heavy heartbreak for me," Fairfax Battalion Chief Robert Schoenberger said days after the fire. "These tools are used on a daily basis for our special ops here in Fairfax County. The members here that come to train on a regular basis dedicate their time for free willingly because it’s an extra, and all the loss that’s behind them is gonna take a significant amount of time to prepare and take our guys and gals back on the streets to serve others."
At the time of the fire, VA-TF1 was in Venezuela working to rescue survivors of the devastating earthquakes that killed thousands of people.
Fairfax County Training Facility Fire Suspects Arrested
Suspects arrested
Several individuals were captured on surveillance entering the facility before the fire and leaving the area after it started, according to police.
RELATED: Fairfax County investigating after fire destroys Search and Rescue training facility
Officers used tips provided by the community and Flock license plate readers to identify a vehicle connected to the case.
On Sept. 3, officers executed search warrants at three homes. The following suspects were arrested and charged with burglary and trespassing:
- Ricky Torres, 26, of Fairfax, was released on $1,000 bond
- Brice Bartley, 18, of Fairfax, is being held without bond
- Aidan Smith, 18, of Clifton, was released on $1,000 bond
(Left to Right) Brice Bartley, Ricky Torres, and Aidan Smith were arrested after a Fire at a Fairfax County training facility.
Three 17-year-olds were also charged with burglary and trespassing.
Police said additional charges are expected.
The Source: Information in this article is from Fairfax County Police.