(Fredericksburg, VA) January 24, 2025 – At approximately 4:43 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Fredericksburg Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received reports of a fire at 227 Germania Street in the Mill District of the City. Fredericksburg Fire Department units responded immediately and were on scene within a few minutes.
Upon arrival, fire units observed black smoke coming out of the basement of a one-story building with a barber shop/beauty salon on the first level and basement apartments with a living space attached to the commercial portion of the building. Firefighters quickly stretched a hose line into the basement through a stairwell door and found fire in the kitchen area. The fire was extinguished within 5 minutes of arrival. Other firefighters arrived, searched the basement and 1st floor, and found no people still inside. They found three cats and all of them turned out to be free from injury. Checking for fire extensions and overhauling the fire area took some time due to the conditions of the apartment.
Two occupants, one from each apartment on the basement level, were displaced as Dominion Energy disconnected the power out of caution. The occupants had places to stay and did not require additional assistance. The Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) is conducting an origin and cause investigation. Results are not available at this time. No injuries to firefighters occurred.
Due to the cold conditions, a sand truck from City Public Works was requested to cover the icy conditions of the street after the fire.