On Saturday, March 9, at 12:09 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and Arlington County Fire Department responded to a reported house fire in the 1400 block of Brookhaven Drive in the McLean area of Fairfax County.
One occupant was found deceased in the home. The Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Lucy Berkebile, 73. This is the county’s first fire fatality of 2019.
Units arrived on the scene and observed a large volume of fire coming from a two-story, single family home. Neighbors indicated that an elderly female was likely home. Crews worked aggressively to enter the home and initiate an attack on the fire in order to conduct a search for the occupant. The firefighters efforts were hindered by the large amount of fire and exterior obstacles, such as brush, trees, and debris.
Firefighters began an attack on the fire from outside. The fire was quickly extinguished. No firefighters were injured.
The fire was discovered by a neighbor who called 9-1-1. It is unknown if there were working smoke alarms in the home.
The cause of this fire remains under investigation. Damages as a result of the fire are approximately $398,750.