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7 injured following massive scrap yard fire in Lorton
Seven people were injured after a fire broke out on Richmond Highway in Lorton. FOX 5's Nana Sentuo-Bonsu reports on the latest.
LORTON, Va. - Fairfax County Fire and Rescue were on the scene Tuesday of a four-alarm fire, where seven people have been injured, officials say.
What we know:
The fire broke out in the 9900 block of Richmond Highway in Lorton. Initial units discovered a scrap metal fire burning, contained to the back side of the property. One employee was trapped on a crane, was recovered and then airlifted to an area hospital where he is currently under treatment.
"He was reported unconscious, so he was in a serious condition," Fairfax County Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hunter said.
One civilian was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Five other civilians and one firefighter were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Crews are working to bring the fire under control.
"Now we're using water and foam to de-layer it and cool the materials," Deputy Chief Greg Hunter said. "De-layering is a process of using an excavator or a crane to take each part of the pile apart and basically take it from a stacked pile to a horizontal layer where we can apply water."
Fire officials have confirmed that the fire started on the property of Davis Industries Inc. Deputy Fire Chief Hunter said it's not yet clear what caused the fire, but there was, "metal, plastics, rubber. There's a variety of materials that can be contained in these piles."
Local perspective:
Richmond Highway was shutdown in both directions between Guston Road and Hassett Street. Officials ask drivers to seek alternate routes.
Nearby residents were told to shelter in place due to air quality concerns. That order was lifted as of 7:30 p.m. and officials say all air quality readings have been within normal levels.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5 DC for updates.