Fire at Virginia Lodge under investigation

The Virginia Lodge on Richmond Highway. (Google Maps image)

The Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department is investigating the cause of a fire that broke out shortly after 11 a.m. Monday at the Virginia Lodge motel on Route 1.

Firefighters from Fairfax and Alexandria responded to the blaze after an employee called 911. A person passing by the room noticed the smoke and alerted the employee.

Damage from the fire. (Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department image)

Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire, but the blaze managed to cause estimated $50,000 in damage, according to the fire department. The fire was confined to the room it started in, but rooms on both sides of it were damaged by smoke, as was an awning.

About 40 people were in the hotel when the fire broke out, and the employee who found the fire was able to alert them all to evacuate. No injuries were reported, and guests staying in the rooms next door to the fire were relocated to other parts of the hotel.

Investigators have not determined the cause yet.

The 78-unit motel, which was built in 1952 and is located at 6027 Richmond Highway (see map), did have working smoke alarms, but is not equipped with fire sprinkers, the fire department said.