Former Virginia governor and former U.S. Sen. Charles “Chuck” Robb (D) and his wife Lynda Robb were injured in a fire that broke out in his home on Tuesday evening.
According to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, firefighters were dispatched to the McLean, Va., home around 11:30 p.m. The fire was reported to have spread throughout the first floor of the expansive home. The department described the injuries of those inside the home as being “non-life-threatening.”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) on Wednesday shared a statement from Robb’s family.
“Our entire family is deeply grateful to the firefighters for their rapid response and the medical professionals who are taking care of them,” Robb’s three daughters said. “We have what is most important to us — our mom and dad.”
On Twitter, Northam wrote, “Pam and I were deeply saddened to learn of a fire at the home of former governor Chuck Robb. Our thoughts are with Chuck and Lynda as they recover from this tragedy.”
While Chuck, 82, was treated for smoke inhalation and released from the hospital, Lynda, a daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, will remain in the hospital after suffering second degree burns, according to The Washington Post.
Lynda Robb’s sister Luci Baines Johnson told the Post that both her sister and Chuck are expected to survive from the ordeal.
“The facts are they are still with us,” said Johnson. “They are both extraordinarily strong and accomplished people. They have spent 54 years together. My heart is shattered for them.”
According to Johnson, Lynda was on the first floor in the library and Chuck was in the basement when the fire began. It is currently unclear what started the blaze, though authorities are exploring the possibility of an electrical fire.
The Robbs have lived in the multimillion-dollar home for around 50 years.
Chuck Robb served as Virginia governor from 1982 to 1986. Then in 1989 he was elected to the U.S. Senate and served until 2001 after losing to Republican George Allen (Va.), also a former governor of Virginia.