Arson likely cause of Dale City house fire

By Elisa Glushefski

Published: July 25, 2008

With accidental causes ruled out, the Prince William County Fire Marshal's Office is now investigating the fire that destroyed a Dale City house and damaged three others as possible arson, according to a search warrant affidavit filed this week in Prince William County Circuit Court.

The blaze started about 4:35 p.m. at 13405 Keating Drive—a two-story house with a basement—and the first units arrived four minutes later to find the house fully engulfed in flames.

Officials with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue said at the time that the house burned to the ground within roughly 15 minutes.

Thousands of dollars of damage were done to the two houses on either side of the destroyed single-family home. Additionally, radiated heat from the fire melted the siding on a house across the street.

During the investigation, multiple unrelated witnesses reported that people, including one of the owners, were seen removing items during the night, the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, witnesses also told investigators that the house was under construction, but had not been worked on in more than a year.

The renovations nearly quadrupled the house's size, a fire official said at the time of the fire.

Investigators at the scene took a soil sample, debris and particleboard, according to the search warrant return list.

The case is being labeled an incendiary event, which fire and rescue spokesman Randy Earl said means a person is believed to be responsible, whether it was purposely or

accidentally.

Earl said he could not comment on what causes have been ruled out or what stage the investigation is at.

Anyone you may have seen something suspicious the day of the fire or has information about the incident is asked to call fire and rescue Capt. Dave Doehler at 703-792-6485.

Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.