Fire Department: Fire at Apartment Complex 'Intentionally Set'

Prince William County fire officials said Tuesday that a fire in a Woodbridge apartment complex over the weekend was intentionally set. 

On Saturday, July 28 at 6 a.m., fire and rescue units responded to a structure fire at the multi-family complex of Landings at Markhams Grant located in the 15700 block of Tassleford Lane in Woodbridge.

"Upon arrival, firefighters observed light smoke emitting from the building and evacuation of the building had begun," said a release from the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. "As firefighters proceeded through the building, a fire was discovered in a first floor apartment but was under control due to the activation of a single sprinkler head. Firefighters extinguished the fire and began ventilating the structure."

No injuries were reported and county police assisted with on scene management.

Further investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office revealed the fire was intentionally set, said the release. Prince William County Police arrested and charged Timothy Michael Smith with setting fire to an occupied residential structure.

According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, preliminary damage is estimated at $5,000.

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue would like to remind residents that installation of working smoke alarms and sprinklers increase your chances of surviving a fire by 82 percent.