Light Fixture Causes Lochinver Lane Fire

The was accidental, caused by a light fixture in the basement storage closet, fire officials said Tuesday.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators estimate the damage at $75,000. 

Units received a call about a basement fire at 9:16 a.m. Monday and were on scene at 9:22 a.m. Firefighters had difficulty locating the seat of the fire because of a large amount of stored items in the basement. The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes, according to a statement from fire officials.

Upon the crew's arrival, they found smoke coming from all four sides of the home, Battalion Chief Philip Pommerening said on Monday. Using a thermal imager, they found the fire burning in the basement.

Crews discovered illegal, unexploded fireworks in the basement after the fire was exinguished. The homeowner was issued a notice of violation, and the fireworks were confiscated.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue offers the following electrical safety tips:

• Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
• If your power goes out a lot or the lights in your home flicker, smell bad, or make noise, have an electrician come in to inspect your wiring.   
• The electrical outlet in the bathroom should have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This is a tool that protects you from dangerous shock when water and electricity come together. An electrician can install a GFCI for you.
• All electrical outlets and switches should be covered by “face plates.”
• When possible, avoid the use of “cube taps” and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.
• Inspect electrical cords to make sure they are in good condition.
• Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
• Don’t tie or knot electrical cords.
• Don’t let furniture sit on electrical cords.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.

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