Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
An early morning house fire in View Royal displaced a family and left significant damage to their home.
The fire, in the 300-block of Gull Ave., was reported at about 4 a.m. Sunday morning, said View Royal Fire Rescue Chief Paul Hurst. View Royal and Colwood fire crews responded with two engines, a ladder and rescue vehicle, with 18 firefighters on scene until about 7 a.m.
It appears the fire was the result of an electrical issue with a light near or outside the garage. Because it burned in the walls of the garage and the attic, the fire didn’t activate the smoke detectors in the house for some time, Hurst said.
Despite the home being heavily involved upon arrival, crews were quickly able to control the fire and contain it to the attic.
The four people in the home were able to escape without injury, but the house sustained significant damage to the second floor. View Royal Emergency Services attended, provided basic needs and arranged for the family to stay at a hotel. Hurst said the investigation has been completed and estimated damage at around $200,000.