Gas Leak Shuts Down Roads in Buckingham
Update at 1:35 p.m. — The “all clear” has been given. Road closures are now being lifted.
Earlier: A two square block area in the Buckingham neighborhood, near the Gates of Ballston apartment complex, has been closed to vehicle and pedestrian vehicle due to a gas line rupture.
Construction workers ruptured a 2 inch gas line outside an apartment building at the corner of 4th Street N. and N. Thomas Street, according to scanner traffic. Washington Gas is on scene making repairs while firefighters stand by.
Police have shut down 4th Street between Glebe Road and George Mason Drive, and N. Thomas Street between N. Henderson Road and N. Pershing Drive.
The road closures may soon be lifted, however, as Washington Gas has reportedly shut off the gas to the ruptured line.
File photo
Morning Notes
IAFF: Only We Fight Fires in Arlington — IAFF Local 2800, Arlington’s firefighter union, wants residents to know that their members are the only ones who fight fires in Arlington. The union is trying to draw attention to a web page set up to clarify the differences between professional Arlington County firefighters and members of local volunteer firefighting organizations, who have been soliciting donations. “You may be wondering ‘are my fire and rescue services provided by volunteer firefighters?’” the union wrote. “The answer is no.” [IAFF Local 2800]
Wag More Dogs Gets New Mural — Wag More Dogs, the Shirlington dog grooming business that had to whitewash its doggy mural after losing a legal battle over signage restrictions with Arlington County, has a new mural that no one will interpret as a form of advertising this time around. The mural, painted by itinerant artists Zack Weaver and Rob Fogle, depicts two birds sitting in a hot tub on a tree. During the two weeks it took to create the mural, Weaver and Fogle lived in their truck (dubbed the “Art Cream Truck” and decorated with a painting of a well-endowed green-skinned woman) which they parked outside the dog park. [Huffington Post]
GOP Candidate Goes Against Chamber-Supported Tax — Republican County Board candidate Matt Wavro and Green Party candidate Audrey Clement have both come out against a 12.5 cent per $100 commercial property tax surcharge levied by Arlington County. The surcharge, which is used to fund transportation improvements, is supported by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. [Sun Gazette]
Post Endorses Kaine — The Washington Post editorial board has endorsed Democrat Tim Kaine over Republican George Allen in the race for U.S. Senate in Virginia. [Washington Post]
Arlington Firefighters Selling T-Shirt for Breast Cancer
Arlington County firefighters are selling a t-shirt in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
IAFF Local 2800, the local firefighters union, says members will be wearing the shirt while on duty this week. The shirts can be purchased online or at an Arlington fire station.
From a union spokesman:
“During the week of October 13-19, ACFD/L-2800 members will wear their member designed t-shirts on-duty as a way to raise awareness of breast cancer. The t-shirts will also be sold with the goal of raising as much money as possible to benefit breast cancer treatment and/or research. This year all proceeds will benefit the Sharon McGowan Breast Health Fund, a local non-profit right here in Arlington, that provides breast cancer screenings and other related services free of charge. The Sharon McGowan Breast Health Fund is developed and managed by the Arlington County Medical Society (ACMS). More information can be found at http://www.arlcoms.org/found.shtml. Shirts are available in Pink or Blue. Shirts are $15, and anyone wishing to purchase one can contact any fire station or any member of the ACFD or go to http://www.iaff2800.com/ to purchase from the online store.”
Fire Station Open House to Include Fire, K-9 Demos
Among the eight fire station open houses in Arlington being held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, the open house at Fire Station No. 6 may be the county’s most elaborate.
Located on the Arlington-Falls Church border at 555 N. Washington Street, the station’s open house will include a mock structure fire demonstration, an auto extraction demonstration and a K-9 demonstration.
From a press release:
The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD) and the Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) will co-host its annual Fire Prevention Week open house on Sat, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All activities will take place at Fire Station No. 6, located at 555 North Washington Street (VA Route 29) on the Arlington-Falls Church border.
This is the Department’s largest public education and fire prevention event of the year, focused on providing the citizens of the community with important safety information. Hundreds of citizens, including many local families, attend the event yearly to learn about the department’s operations, training, and equipment, as well as to learn how to take steps to prevent fires and other hazards.
A silent auction with donated items from local businesses will be held during the open house. Proceeds of the silent auction will go towards training and equipment for FCVFD personnel.
Fire Prevention Week is an American tradition inspired by the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred during the second week of October in 1871. Each year, the National Fire Protection Association and its members promote a special fire safety message. This year’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!”
Several activities are planned which will include both FCVFD and ACFD personnel:
- Station Tours
- EMS Demos (Advanced and Basic Life Support)
- Engine/Truck/Aerial Demo
- Mock Structure Fire Demo
- Auto Extrication Demo
- K-9 Demo
Car Flips on Roof Near Patrick Henry Elementary
A car flipped on its roof after running into a parked car across from Patrick Henry Elementary School today.
The accident happened just past noon near the intersection of 7th Street S. and Garfield Street. A silver Mazda driven by a female driver apparently ran into the back of a car that was parked on the side of the street. The collision caused the Mazda to flip on its roof.
Firefighters responded with heavy rescue equipment to pull the trapped driver from the overturned car. She was placed on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital via ambulance for what were reported to be minor injuries. Nobody else was in the two cars at the time of the accident.
Minor Gas Explosion at Whitlow’s
(Updated at 10:05 a.m.) A small gas explosion injured a repair person at Whitlow’s (2854 Wilson Blvd) in Clarendon last night.
The incident happened around 6:00 p.m. A repair person was working on a stove at the restaurant when some gas that had built up in the stove ignited, according to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Gregg Karl.
The repair person was injured by broken glass, Karl said. The injuries were non-life-threatening.
On Twitter, the restaurant said it “had to close for 20 minutes” after a “small incident with our oven.” No additional information about the incident or the victim is available at this time.
Photo courtesy Mark Alves. Hat tip to David Johnson.
ACFD to Host Open Houses for Fire Prevention Week
This week — Oct. 7-13 — is Fire Prevention Week.
In addition to placing Fire Prevention Week signs outside fire stations (see the Spider-man sign, left), the Arlington County Fire Department will be hosting open houses at 8 of the county’s 10 fire stations. (There will be no open houses at fire stations 2 and 4, which are both undergoing renovations.)
The open houses will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. Depending on the fire station there will be activities and food, including moon bounces and popcorn, plus fire safety handouts for adults and kids. Firefighters will also be available to answer fire safety questions.
In advance of Fire Prevention Week, and in response to an NBC News report on smoke detectors, ACFD issued the following press release last week.
Recent news reports about smoke detectors may have led people to false assumptions about smoke detectors in their homes. Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz today offered guidance to renters and homeowners.
“Smoke detectors remain one of the best defenses against the loss of life,” said Fire Chief Schwartz. “If your smoke alarms are less 10 years old, you don’t need to replace them. We do recommend people have a mix of different types of alarms – ionization and photoelectric alarms – to provide quick alerts regardless of the type of fire.”
Two types of smoke detection technologies are in widespread use. Each one has a different reaction time, based on the type of fire:
- Photoelectric devices react faster to slower, smoldering fires that have larger particles – for example, a cigarette in a couch cushion or mattress.
- Ionization devices react faster to rapidly-spreading fires that have smaller particles – for example, a grease fire on a stove or wastepaper basket fire.
Additional recommendations from the Arlington County Fire Department
- Have at least one alarm on every level of the house and one in each sleeping area.
- Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
- Test all home alarms monthly and replace the batteries twice a year when the clocks are changed.
- Families must familiarize themselves with the dangers of smoke and fire and exit plan and to teach children what to do if the alarm sounds.
- Plan and practice home fire drills so every member of the home understands how to get out quickly if the alarm sounds.
- Write the date on the battery with a permanent marker as a reminder when the battery was changed.
- In addition to smoke detectors, all homes should also have carbon monoxide alarms.
More information
- Contact the Arlington County Fire Prevention Office at 703-228-4644 or fireprevention@arlingtonva.us with any further questions.
- Find more fire prevention and safety tips on the Arlington County Fire Department website.
- Visit the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) website for more about ionization detectors.
Photo courtesy @ARL_SFbulldog
County Investigates Mysterious Four Mile Run Foam
The Arlington County Fire Department and the county’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) were called to Four Mile Run near Shirlington this morning for a report of a huge mass of foam accumulating in the creek.
It’s thought that the foam was caused by some sort of soap or detergent. Firefighters tested the foam using a chemical strip and determined that it was not hazardous, according to DES Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management Bureau Chief Jeff Harn. DES is now trying to figure out where the foam came from.
“County staff continue to investigate the issue and are trying to determine the source of the foam,” Harn told ARLnow.com. “However, the discharge that caused the foam is no longer occurring and no source has yet been identified.”
Courtesy photo
Walter Reed Drive Closed After Possible Grenade Found
Walter Reed Drive has been shut down between S. 13th and 14th Streets due to police and fire department activity.
A grenade might have been found in a storage unit in the area, according to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Gregg Karl.
The road has been closed as a precaution while authorities wait for the bomb squad to examine the object.
BREAKING NEWS — Police Investigate Possible Meth Lab in Va. Square
Update on 8/28/12 at 1:00 p.m. — Police confirm they have arrested two men in connection with the suspected meth lab.
Update at 1:05 a.m. — Residents of the second and fourth floors are being allowed back in the building. The bomb squad is packing up its gear, but police and the hazmat teams are remaining on the scene, according to Fire Department spokesman Capt. Gregg Karl.
An apartment building just a block away from the Virginia Square Metro station has been partially evacuated as police and firefighters investigate a possible meth lab discovered in an apartment.
The area around the Virginia Square Apartments, a 225-unit high rise at 801 N. Monroe Street, has been cordoned off by authorities. Police, firefighters, the bomb squad and a hazmat team are all on the scene, and a decontamination area has been set up. Numerous evacuated residents have gathered outside the Metro station.
So far police are not officially confirming that they’re investigating a meth lab, only officially confirming that they found a “hazmat situation” while responding to a domestic incident on the third floor of the building. Police and the fire department chose to evacuate the second, third and fourth floors of the building, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Lt. Michael Watson.
The homemade production of methamphetamine is dangerous and meth lab explosions happen on a regular basis across the country.
Penrose Wreck Sends Three to Hospital
The Arlington County Fire Department had to use hydraulic rescue tools to extricate occupants of a vehicle involved in a two-car crash in the Penrose neighborhood this morning.
The crash happened around 11:15 a.m. at the intersection of 2nd Street S. and S. Wayne Street. A Ford SUV collided with a Chevrolet sedan belonging to Maid Bright, a Sterling-based home cleaning service.
Initial reports suggest three people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Firefighters used heavy tools to cut the roof off the Chevrolet in order to extricate the occupants inside.
Second Street South is currently closed but is expected to reopen shortly, as crews are in the process of clearing the wrecked cars and broken glass.
Gas Main Rupture Near Ballston
Arlington police and firefighters are shutting down part of Henderson Road near Ballston due to a gas main rupture.
Henderson Road is being closed between Glebe Road and N. Thomas Street, according to scanner traffic. Some buildings on the block may also be in the process of being evacuated.
Washington Gas is en route to the scene.
Registration Open For 9-11 Memorial 5K
Registration is open for the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K, set for Saturday, Sept. 8 in Crystal City.
The event sold out about a week ahead of last year’s race day, said race organizer and retired Arlington County Police Capt. Matt Smith. Registration is capped at 5,000 runners.
The race starts at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City (300 Army Navy Drive). Runners can register online for $25 through Aug. 3, $30 from Aug. 4 to Sept. 7 and $35 on race day. Team registration ends on Sept. 1. Proceeds will be donated to charities including the Wounded Warriors Project and Homes For Our Troops.
House Fire Near Four Mile Run Drive
Firefighters battled a basement fire in a duplex near Four Mile Run Drive this morning.
The fire was reported at 8:25 a.m. near the intersection of S. Oakland Street and the Four Mile Run access road. Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County responded to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire within 20 minutes.
There was initially reported to be a person trapped in the burning house, but everybody ended up making it out safely. One occupant, described by a relative as a rising freshman at Wakefield High School, was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
No word yet on the cause of the fire, but a fire department spokesman pointed out that there were no working smoke detectors found in the house.
“The fire department would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to check their smoke detectors,” said Battalion Chief Matt Herbert.
Damage was confined to one occupancy of the duplex, Herbert said.
Despite the call being relatively early in the morning, firefighters still had to deal with hot and humid conditions. To help out, a neighbor set up lawn chairs in her driveway for the sweat-soaked firefighters to relax and hydrate in after the flames were out.
Bryce Harper Invited to Become Volunteer Firefighter in Arlington
Nationals star Bryce Harper, perhaps most widely known for calling out a reporter for asking a “clown question,” has received a request to try out a new career — firefighting.
The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department recently discovered that Harper, an Arlington resident, has always had aspirations of becoming a firefighter. That prompted a formal invitation to the All Star, and any interested teammates, on Friday.
The department learned about Harper’s desire from the Nats blog, which posted a question and answer session with the player.
The department posted the following on its website:
We noticed that Washington Nationals rookie outfielder Bryce Harper, when asked by a fan what he’d be doing if he wasn’t playing baseball, responded that: “I’d probably be a firefighter. Ever since I was growing up, I wanted to be a firefighter or a baseball player. Going into the offseason, I’m going to get my EMT and do the firefighting thing so I have something to fall back on.” Recognizing Mr. Harper’s inner calling as something more than just a savvy PR move, the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department invites Bryce Harper, and any other Nat who’d like to come to check out the fire service in the offseason. We’ll look forward to seeing you at our November meeting.
So far, neither Harper nor the Nationals responded to the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department’s invitation.
Flickr pool photo courtesy D Rob
