Four vehicles sustained damage Thursday after a car fire spread rapidly in a Crystal City area parking lot.
At approximately 10:50 a.m., firefighters were dispatched after two cars were reported to be on fire near the intersection of 33rd Street S and Crystal Drive, near Potomac Yard.
In a matter of minutes, the fire appeared to have spread to two more vehicles, according to scanner traffic. Video later posted by the Arlington County Fire Department (below) shows an explosion due to a fuel tank rupture during the fire, contributing to the spread.
Below is video of the vehicle fire from earlier today in Crystal City. An explosion can be seen due to a BLEVE from the fuel tank rupturing. Please leave car fires to the professionals as things like this can occur. Get out, stay clear, and call for help! pic.twitter.com/z3m9S1CFg0
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) July 24, 2025
A video shared by local public safety watcher Dave Statter, meanwhile, shows thick smoke coming from a parking lot near the intersection, which appears to be near the Hazel and Azure National Landing apartment buildings.
New: The smoke over the south end of Crystal City is from a fire in as many of three vehicles near S. Crystal Drive and 33rd Street. Let's hope this one doesn't rile the conspiracy theorists and some "news" organizations like one of the last Crystal City vehicle fires. It appears… pic.twitter.com/DeewWEoze2
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) July 24, 2025
A “majority” of the fire had been “knocked down” by 10:57 a.m., according to scanner traffic.
No injuries to firefighters or members of the public were reported.
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the initial fire, but have already deemed the incident non-suspicious, ACFD’s Capt. Jamie Jill told ARLnow.
