Boy, 5, Killed in Fire Was Playing With Lighter Before Blaze, Investigators Say

"The mom was there, and she was frantically calling for her child," one neighbor said

What to Know

  • Firefighters were called to the 8100 block of Arcade Street shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday.
  • Neighbors frantically tried to save the little boy before firefighters arrived.
  • Three men and one woman were taken from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 5-year-old boy who was killed in a fire in Lorton, Virginia, had been playing with a lighter before the blaze, Fairfax County fire officials say. 

Firefighters were called to the 8100 block of Arcade Street shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a fire. When crews arrived, they learned the little boy was trapped inside the home's garage. 

Stellan Lotuno
The victim has been identified as Stellan Lotuno, Fairfax County fire officials said Wednesday afternoon.

He has been identified as Stellan Lotuno, Fairfax County fire officials said Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators believe the boy was playing with a lighter when the fire started.

"The mom was there, and she was frantically calling for her child," said neighbor Derek Ganley.

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

GMU cricket stadium proposal scrapped

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 60-day injured list

[[414503173, C]]

Ganley was one of many neighbors who tried to enter the garage to save the child. Ty Harrington, a retired firefighter, and another neighbor who works for the fire department tried to get inside the house to make a rescue. They were pushed back by smoke.

"It's pretty unique to see that many people jump in to help," Harrington said. 

A young boy was killed and four adults were injured in a house fire in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to authorities.

Battalion Chief Will Bailey said the firefighters tried to aggressively attack the fire through the house but were pushed back. After putting out the fire, they did a search and discovered the boy's body in the garage.

Two dogs and three pet birds also died in the fire. 

Three men and one woman were transported from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries. Two other dogs were rescued.

Police and fire investigators are looking into the cause of a Fairfax County, Virginia, fire that left one young boy dead. News4’s Shomari Stone reports.
Contact Us