Four tenants are without a home after a house fire in View Royal Saturday morning.
View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst said the department responded to a fire in the 100-block of Atkins Road around 10:15 a.m.
All four tenants and a cat escaped before fire crews arrived, Hurst said. One resident who attempted to extinguish the flames suffered burns to the back. The person was treated by paramedics on scene. No one else was injured.
Fire crews saw smoke and flames from the highway en route to the house and upgraded the response, calling for more fire engines and crew to attend, Hurst said.
They arrived to find large flames coming from the west side of the house and smoke throughout the building. Crews extinguished the blaze quickly, preventing flames from spreading, but the damage is extensive, Hurst said. The residents will not be able to return to the home.
View Royal and Colwood emergency support services will provide the displaced residents with accommodation and food vouchers for 72 hours.
The West Shore fire investigation team is looking into the cause of the fire, which Hurst said does not appear to be suspicious.
The house did have smoke alarms, but they weren’t working, Hurst said.
“It was fortunate that everyone got out,” he said. “Check your smoke alarms, especially this time of year.”
