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CHESAPEAKE, Chesapeake County, Va., Nov. 2, 2026 — A woman died on Sunday afternoon, November 1, after a fire broke out on the third floor of a condominium building in Chesapeake, according to fire officials.
The fire was reported at Parkview Condominiums in the 500 block of Judah Way in the Greenbrier area around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, according to Capt. Steven Bradley, assistant fire marshal for the Chesapeake Fire Department. Crews responded after a fire alarm went off, and additional callers reported smoke on the third floor and said some residents were unable to use a stairwell to get out.
Firefighters arriving on scene found heavy smoke coming from a third-floor unit. The building's sprinkler system had already put out the fire before crews entered. Residents who had been stuck in the stairwell were evacuated without injury.
While searching the unit where the fire started, firefighters found a woman inside. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity and a cause of death have not been released.
Fire investigators are working with Chesapeake Police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine what happened. Three condominiums were declared unsafe due to smoke and water damage. The American Red Cross is assisting one adult and one child who were displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
More Accident News from Chesapeake County
This incident happened on 500 Judah Way in Chesapeake, VA. For other recent accidents near Chesapeake, VA, visit our Chesapeake County accident news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm trapped by smoke in a stairwell during a fire?
Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation, close doors behind you if possible to slow the spread of smoke, and signal for help from a window if you cannot safely reach an exit. Call 911 if you have a phone with you.
How effective are sprinkler systems in stopping apartment or condo fires?
Sprinkler systems frequently contain or extinguish a fire before it spreads beyond the unit where it started, which can limit damage and give residents more time to evacuate safely.
Who investigates a fatal fire in a residential building?
Local fire marshals typically lead the investigation into the cause and origin, usually working alongside police and the medical examiner's office when a death is involved.
