Portable AC causes fire that injures 2 and kills pets

WASHINGTON — An accidental fire caused by a malfunctioning portable air conditioner/humidifier caused $250,000 damage to a home in the Clifton area of Fairfax County Sunday night.

Firefighters took two people to Washington Hospital Burn Center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

A dog and two rabbits died in the fire just before midnight in the 12000 block of Old Yates Ford Road.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the first floor of the two-story house and had to request a tanker task force because of a lack of water in nearby hydrants, the department says.

The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes.

The people inside the home managed to get out when one smelled smoke and alerted the others.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on WTOP Facebook page.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up