Fire Marshals: Labor Day Warehouse Blaze Not an Accident

Alexandria fire marshals say the six-alarm warehouse fire that sent a huge plume of smoke above the city on Labor Day was not accidental.

Alexandria Fire Chief Adam Thiel said Tuesday evening the investigation determined the blaze was “incendiary” in nature and that the incident did not fit the legal definition of arson.   

A person of interest has been identified and the case has been forwarded to the Commonwealth’s Attorney office for further action.

Thiel said he could not identify the person of interest. He said he did not have any concerns about the person not being in custody.

The Alexandria Fire Department investigation, performed in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, “left no stone unturned,” Thiel said. Investigators interviewed witnesses and scanned nearby security camera footage in the week since the blaze. 

More than 200 firefighters from Alexandria and neighboring jurisdictions were called in to battle the Sept. 2 blaze at 801 S. Picket St., including Arlington and Fairfax Counties as well as Prince George’s County, Md. The fire caused an estimated $6 million in structure damages and material losses and sent “several” firefighters to the hospital, Thiel said.

“We believe it was the largest structure fire response in Northern Virginia since 9/11,” Thiel said.