Home Albemarle County: Unattended charcoal grill leads to loss of structure, two acres of forest
Local, Public Safety

Albemarle County: Unattended charcoal grill leads to loss of structure, two acres of forest

Crystal Graham
fourth of july cookout
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A charcoal grill left unattended led to a structure fire on Saturday in the 2400 block of Old Lynchburg Road in Albemarle County.

At 4:55 p.m., career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue responded to a report of a fire.

The first rescue vehicle arrived on scene within 15 minutes and encountered heavy smoke conditions and an outbuilding fully engulfed in flames.

The structure was a total loss in the fire. Approximately two acres of forest were also impacted.

No injuries were reported.

ACFR: Safety tips for grilling

  • Never leave your grill unattended
  • Grill should be placed away from home, deck railings and out from under eaves of overhanging branches
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.