By LoudounExtra.com staff
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A fire that caused about $100,000 in damage to a Sterling townhouse earlier this week was caused by a discarded cigarette, authorities said Thursday.
Loudoun County Fire-Rescue officials responded at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to a two-alarm fire at 45547 Reading Terrace in Sterling. Firefighters arrived to find a fire at the rear of the townhouse that was spreading to the second and third floors of the home.
The fire was under control in about 20 minutes, Loudoun fire and rescue spokeswoman Mary Maguire said. Investigators determined that a discarded cigarette had ignited combustibles on a deck.
The occupants of the townhouse weren't home at the time of the fire and are staying with friends. No one was injured.
Units from Sterling, Cascades, Moorefield and Ashburn, with assistance from Fairfax County and Dulles International Airport, responded to the scene.
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