Evening star., 1952-10-27
Fire Attacks
lover 1OOAcres
In Fairfax Area
300 Fight BIoze
For Eight Hours;
Houses Threatened

Falr1ax County'S worst forest
fire in recent years burned more
than 100 acres in the Groveton-
Engleside area yesterday.
More than 800 firefghters
battled the stubborn blaze for
eight hours before bringing it un-
der control about 6 pm. It was
not completely out until near mid
night.
At least two houses just off
Kings highway and Telegraph
road were threatened at the peak
of the blaze. and the residents
were ready to flee. Firemen man.
aged to change the course of the
flames before there was any prop
erty damage.
At least three firemen were in
Jured or overcome. Thick columns
OF smoke were visible 5 miles away
IN Alexandria. The bright sun
was clouded for miles around.
Chief Fairfax Fire Warden D.
E. SheadS. who was in charge of
the fireflghting, said there had
been recurring fires in the same
general area for the past three
days. The outbreak yesterday oc-
Cured near Pole road just off No.
l highway at Engleside.
Races Toward Houses.
Spreading westward along a
mlle-wide front, the blaze ragged
across the county toward Kings
highway and Telegraph road
where there are a number of
houses. The flames got worse
as the fire ate through an area
inaccessible to fire fighting equip
ment.
Fire companies from all over
the county were called. Radio
stations broadcast calls for every
available volunteer. Alexandria
sent three companies and Arling-
ton County sent two.
Fort Belvoir sent up an obser-
Vatlon plane to spot the direction
of the flames. Four bulldozers.
two belonging to the Army, were
used to block the path of the
blaze.
Mr.. Sheads had firemen set
backfires as the blaze neared
Kings highway. The bulldozers
cleared wide lanes just behind the
backfires. Every available piece
OF fire equipment kept pouring
water in the path of the flames.
and the blaze finally was con-
trolled as it reached the inter-
section of Kings highway and
Telegraph road.
Mr. Sheads said the timber was
of no value because the area had
been burned over almost every
year recently.
Fire Fighters Injured.
Firemen who were injured in
cluded Harry Rouse, chief of the
Penn DaW Rescue Squad, who was
cut on the leg; Leroy Cooper. of
Annandale Fire Department. over
come by smoke, and M. T. Penn,
ST.. OF the Alexandria Rescue
Squad, also overcome by smoke.
Fire companies that responded
included: Penn Daw, Burke, Fort
Belvoir, Annandale, Baileys Cross
Roads, Fairfax, Franconia, Falls
Church, Mount Vernon, Chantilly.
two companies from Arlington
and three from Alexandria. AL
together. there were about 30
pieces of equipment on the scene.
AT the height of the blaze, an
other dangerous fire broke out in
the opposite end of the county
near Centreville. The second fire
burned over approximately five
acres, but Mr.. Sheads said it could
nave been serious blaze because
the territory is heavily wooded.
Inc area burned is about four
miles west of Centreville.
Mr.. Sheads warned that the
forest fire situation will remain
dangerous in Fairfax County until
there is some rain. The Weather
Bureau said there is no forecast
Tor rain in the near future. Mr..
SheadS asked residents to be eau
tlous about burning brush. He
said brush burning is prohibited
IN the spring. except after pm.
This is because more volunteer
tremen are available after 4 pm.
The law does not apply this time
Of year, Mr.. Sheads said, but he
said he hoped residents would vol
unfairly follow the rule.