VIRGINIA BRIEFING
VIRGINIA BRIEFING
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WESTERN VIRGINIA
Unapproved Takeoff Causes Alarm
A small plane made an unauthorized takeoff and circled over western Virginia for about four hours yesterday before it landed safely again at Roanoke Regional Airport, authorities said.
An airport spokeswoman said that the pilot ran from authorities and jumped a fence but that he was apprehended by FBI agents. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, she said.
Authorities in radio contact with the pilot had agreed not to release his identity in exchange for his safe return to the airport, Roanoke police said. A local official described him as a 50-year-old retired air traffic controller and licensed pilot.
The plane, a Cessna 172, took off about 11 a.m. and landed about 2:45 p.m., authorities said. No charges had been filed, but the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating.
-- Associated Press
MANASSAS
Apartment Fire Tied to Smoking
A two-alarm fire at a Manassas apartment building started in a plastic flowerpot that a resident was using to dispose of cigarette butts, fire officials said yesterday.
The fire, which caused about $500,000 in damage, began shortly before 1:49 a.m. yesterday in the 8600 block of Devonshire Court. The fire spread up the side of the building, but firefighters prevented it from reaching an adjoining building, Manassas fire officials said. About 20 people were displaced from eight apartments. No injuries were reported.
