10/1/2012: Arlington, VA – Emergency crews responded to a fire early this morning at the private residence of former U.S. Senator Daniel J. Woods.  The call was received at 3:13 a.m. this morning and Arlington County Fire Department battled the blaze for over four hours before rescue workers were cleared to enter the mansion.

Access to the situation is limited at this time, but a brief eyewitness account describes what sounded like fireworks or firecrackers in the area between 2:00 and 2:20 a.m.  Federal investigators have closed off the entire area and are denying any further interviews with witnesses until official statements have been taken.

The Woods mansion is located on a vast private lot, making it unclear how long the fire was burning before neighbors noticed the residence was in distress.  Senator Woods and his wife Jane were reportedly home at the time of the emergency call but are currently missing.  Arson is suspected, but no further details are known at this time.

– Beulah Tuttle of The Citizen