Officials: 30 displaced after fire

STAFF
Published: November 20, 2008

More than 30 people may have been displaced due to a blaze that swept through a Dale City apartment building Thursday evening. The fire sent residents into the streets and smoke billowing into the sky.

Firefighters rescued three victims from the burning building at 14465 Watson Lane in the Dale Forest Apartments complex off Darbydale Avenue, but no injuries were reported, Prince William Fire and Rescue Asst.Chief Hadden Culp said.

The 5 p.m. fire scorched the third and fourth stories of the building. Firefighters had the blaze under control by 5:45 p.m., but they were scanning the third floor with flashlights.

The Red Cross has been called to the scene to assist residents.

When flames broke out Ibraham Jalloh, 12, said he went door to door inside the burning building knocking on doors to alert residents of the fire. He was later interviewed by Prince William Fire Marshal Joe Robertson about what he saw.

Jalloh said after he went door to door he immediately ran to the complex’s maintenance officer to get help, but found no one there. He then called 911.

The Red Cross has been called to provide assistance to the victims.

There were no reports of serious injuries. Stay with InsideNoVA.com for the latest on this story.