Fire at Mount Vernon Apartments caused by unattended cooking

Firefighters respond to the blaze last week at the Mount Vernon Apartments on Russell Road. (Anthony Kelleher photo via Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department)

A May 16 fire at an apartment complex in the Woodlawn area was caused by unattended cooking, the fire department said today.

The fire, which broke out in a second-floor unit at the Mount Vernon Apartments at 8263 Russell Road, did not result in any injuries. One person who was in the home was alerted the fire by a smoke detector.

Investigators determined that the fire began when an unattended pot of oil left was left on the stove while it was heating. The fire was quickly extinguished after firefighters arrived.

Residents from two units in the building were displaced, according to the fire department. They declined Red Cross services. 

The fire department determined the damage to be approximately $46,875.