Fire destroys 8 vehicles, damages others in Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Eight cars were destroyed, and three others were damaged after an overnight car fire in an apartment complex, fire officials in Prince William fire officials said.

According to Prince William Fire & Rescue, there were multiple reports of cars on fire at the Summerland Heights apartment complex in Woodbridge just before 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Laura Macmullin said her husband’s truck was one of eight vehicles that were destroyed. He uses the truck for his work on drains and irrigation, Macmullin said.

"Everything was damaged. It was a complete loss. Both of the tires were burned down, inside the vehicle, everything was destroyed. Tools, $6,000 worth of tools just damaged. Burned," she told FOX 5. "It’s just unfortunate because my husband lost half of his income now. With that truck, he puts all of the pipes. He does sprinkler systems, tubing for the drains he does. With the loss of the truck, it’s a loss for our family as well."

Macmullin said because the truck was only insured for liability, her family’s next best option is to sell the car to a junkyard.

Fire destroys 8 vehicles, damages others in Woodbridge (Prince William County Fire & Rescue System) 

Initially, Prince William Fire & Rescue reported the Fire Marshal’s Office determined the blaze was ignited by "an electrical malfunction in a hybrid vehicle" and the ensuing fire engulfed nearby cars. In an updated statement early Wednesday evening, fire officials said the cause of the fire "has been changed to undetermined" after further investigation.

A spokesperson told FOX 5 Thursday, that leaking gasoline contributed to the heavy fire volume.

Helen Ellis-Brown lives in the complex and recalled the noises she heard from the fire.

"I didn’t know it was an explosion. I just heard a loud boom. At first, I thought it was gunfire. I stayed in my bed. I didn’t know what was going on. Then it just kept going. You just heard boom, after boom, after boom, boom. It was shaking the building it was so loud," Ellis-Brown recalled. "When I came out and it was daylight, and I saw the aftermath…I was like ‘Jesus, lord.’ I felt it for the people who actually lost their vehicles."

In the latest update, Prince William fire officials said additional information will be provided "if warranted."