Just after 5:30 this morning dispatchers started receiving calls from citizens and one Virginia Beach Police Officer about flames shooting through the roof of a three-story condominium. When the first units from the VBFD arrived on scene in the 19 – hundred block of Chantilly Court they reported heavy smoke and fire shooting through the windows and roof of building 9. Within just minutes of their arrival, a second alarm was issued resulting in a total of seven engines, three ladder trucks, two heavy rescue trucks and one volunteer fire support vehicle being dispatched to the scene along with several units from VBPD and VBEMS.

Despite heavy smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building, firefighters quickly entered the structure to search for any residents that might still be inside. After conducting a secondary search, finding no one left inside and the attic fully engulfed in flames, chief officers ordered all firefighters outside the structure, fearful that the building could collapse. A defensive fire attack continued utilizing three ladder trucks, one in the front of the structure and two on the backside. The placement of these ladder trucks enabled firefighters to knock the flames down enough to go back on the offensive and mount an interior attack. The fire was under control at 6:17 a.m. Two residents were treated for burns to the feet and transported to a local hospital by VBEMS. A firefighter was struck by falling debris from the third floor and treated at the scene for minor injuries. He was not transported to the hospital and continued to fight the fire. Fourteen residents were displaced by the fire. Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental but the exact cause is still under investigation.

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