COUNTY OF PRINCE WILLIAM DEPARTMENT OF

1 County Complex Court (MC470), Prince William, Virginia 22192-9201

(703) 792-6800 Metro 631-1703, Ext. 6800, FAX 792-7691
FIRE & RESCUE

Kevin J. McGee
Chief
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Kim Y. Hylander
April 12, 2017 Communications Specialist
Office: 703-792-6162
Email: khylander@pwcgov.org
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meandering Way Fire Incident

On Tuesday, April 11th at 4:27 p.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to an
apartment fire located in the 3600 block of Meandering Way in Woodbridge.
Upon arrival, fire and rescue crews observed an outside fire that had spread to the
exterior entrance of the building. Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the fire
preventing extension into the apartment complex.
No injuries reported.
According to the Fire Marshals Office, preliminary damages are estimated at $12,000.
The origin and cause of the fire was an outside fire due to improper disposal of smoking
materials and has been determined as accidental.
Prince William County Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin McGee urges residents to take
precautions when using smoking materials. Smoking materials are the leading cause of
fire deaths and although unintentional, the majority of home smoking-material fires are
caused by human error.

If you smoke, smoke outside.

o Provide an area for individuals to properly extinguish and safely discard
smoking materials.
o Do Not discard butts or ashes into potting soil, mulch-laden landscapes,
flower beds, grassy areas, woods, etc.
Before you throw out butts and ashes, douse in water or sand.
Use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays on a sturdy foundation, e.g. table.
Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette
butts that may have fallen out of sight.
Never smoke in bed. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily. Do Not
smoke in bed because you might fall asleep with a lit cigarette.
Be alert when smoking! You wont be alert if youre sleepy, have been drinking,
or have taken medicine or other drugs.
Never smoke in a home where medical oxygen is used.
If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes; they are less likely to cause fires.
Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children.
-end-