News Briefs
$5 Million Damage in Warehouse Fire
The Alexandria Fire Department fire marshals’ initial investigation of the fire at 4407 Wheeler Ave. revealed that the fire was accidental and electrical in nature, causing approximately $1.5 million in structural damage and an additional estimated $3.5 million in damage to the contents of all impacted businesses located in the commercial strip warehouse. The incident, initially reported as a fire alarm around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, was quickly upgraded to a 3-alarm fire, bringing more than 100 firefighters from AFD and surrounding jurisdictions to support the fire attack.
With assistance from Arlington County and Fairfax County fire departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the George Mason University and Fairfax City Fire Department Drone Team, the Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin and cause investigation over the course of three days. While the investigation took place, firefighting activities continued to address hot spots and to extinguish fire debris. Investigators identified a room in the warehouse as the point of origin, which is where they also found several electrical components. The building’s fire alarm system and smoke alarms activated at the time of the incident.
Among the businesses affected by the fire is Jeffrey's Catering – a key provider for the Meals on Wheels program. The owners have made the necessary arrangements to continue services in an alternative location.
No civilians were injured as a result of the fire. One firefighter sustained a minor injury, was treated, and released the same day as the incident. The building was condemned due to fire and structural damage. The property value saved is an estimated $696,720.
3 Streets To Be Renamed
Effective Thursday, June 20, the City of Alexandria will rename three streets currently named for Confederate figures and rededicate a fourth.
The four impacted streets are the first to be impacted during what will be a 15-year process of renaming and rededicating roadways currently named for Confederate figures. The City is committed to reckoning with its past and the legacy of a 1953 ordinance that ruled that all streets running North-South in the city should be named for Confederate officers. Alexandria City Council voted unanimously on Saturday, January 20, to undertake these changes as the first steps in the City’s Confederate Street Renaming initiative, which aims to foster a more inclusive community in the city.
The Historic Alexandria Research Committee (HARC) compiled a list of streets in Alexandria named for Confederate figures as well as a list of 63 new names for consideration by City Council and the City Council Naming Committee. Community members, particularly those most impacted by changes, had opportunities to attend public hearings or send feedback to City Council. The name Charity Earley was suggested by residents in place of the original name that came from the HARC list, and Thomasina Jordan and Harriet Jacobs were the names that residents of those respective streets indicated they most preferred.
The City of Alexandria is committed to making progress but wants to ensure that any changes create the least disruption possible to residents and businesses. An up-to-date Street Renaming FAQ page covers what residents and businesses must do if affected. City Staff will provide additional information to impacted residents and businesses on each street in advance of the change. If you aren’t sure whether you will be impacted, reference the Confederate Street Renaming Map.