Neighbor's 911 Call Helps Save 15-Year-Old Girl From Annandale House Fire

A 15-year-old girl safely escaped a house fire at her home at 3794 Dade Dr in Annandale after a neighbor called 911.

Fairfax County Fire Department and Rescue units responded to the fire at 5:56 p.m., minutes after resident Steve Cowan called 911.

"I was in the kitchen getting ready to cook dinner on the grill when I saw the smoke and flames," said Cowan, who lives at the end of the block. "I went over there and pounded on the door. She answered and said she was the only home. The firefighters showed up two minutes later. The response was immediate."

The girl, who declined to give her name, was asleep at the time of the fire. "I was sleeping, heard the alarm and went to check. Then someone came knocking on the door. [When I went to check] I saw the side of the house up in flames."

The 15-year-old girl's grandparents, who also declined to give their name, live in the home with her.

Most of the damage to the home appears to be at the back of the house where it likely started, but as of 7:12 p.m. Fire Marshall Lieutenant Vacchi said the investigation into the cause of the fire was still ongoing.

Several neighbors watched as firefighters walked in and out of the home, surveying the property for further damage.

"I thought someone was grilling, but I saw the smoke," said Julie Wilson, who lives at the end of block. "Once the flames hit the roof, it was full blaze."

Though Cowan downplayed his role, his neighbors Wilson and Frank Bertini said he was the hero of the day, getting the girl out safely.

Details about the damage to the home were not made available.

Annandale Patch will update this story as details are released.