House Fires in Ashburn, Sterling, Leesburg

By LoudounExtra.com staff

Monday, March 16, 2009

Ashburn House Fire Displaces Four

On Saturday, March 14, the Loudoun County Communications Center received a 911 call at 3:34 p.m. for a house fire at 42811 Conquest Circle. Responding emergency personnel from Arcola, South Riding, Ashburn and Sterling Park encountered heavy fire throughout the entire home, and it took approximately 30 minutes for fire-rescue crews to bring the fire under control.

The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office has ruled the incident be accidental in nature. The fire began after a carpenter pierced a propane gas cylinder with a nail in the basement of the home. The worker was attempting to strike a stud in the wall, but missed, causing the nail to go directly through the wall and into the camping-style propane cylinder. The release of the gas was in close proximity to the gas pilot of the water heater, which became the area of ignition.

The worker was transported to Lansdowne Hospital after suffering minor burns to the hands. There were no additional injuries to civilians or emergency personnel.

As a result of the fire, four residents were displaced and are staying with local contacts. There was approximately $400,000 in damages to the residence.

Match Starts Fire in Leesburg Home

Improperly discarded smoking materials caused a fire this past weekend at 144 Connery Terrace in Leesburg. A match that was intended for the toilet went into a trash can in the upstairs bathroom, resulting in a small fire that caused $10,000 in damages and left three residents displaced.

Fire-rescue crews from Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville and Aldie responded to the townhouse fire, and were able to contain the fire within minutes. Personnel remained on scene to assist family and perform salvage and overhaul.

There were no reported injuries to civilians or emergency personnel and the fire has been ruled accidental by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office

Discarded Cigarette Causes Fire in Sterling

A cigarette caused approximately $12,000 in damages to an apartment building at 21851 Locomotive Terrace in Sterling on March 12.

Just after midnight, fire-rescue personnel responded to the apartment fire after a fire started in the mulch. A cigarette that had been left smoldering in the mulch caused the vinyl siding of the apartment building to catch fire.

With warm months approaching and fresh mulch being placed in yards and around buildings, The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office stresses that it is important to properly discard of cigarettes or other smoking materials. Last year, a discarded cigarette caused a significant house fire in Leesburg, resulting in several firefighters suffering burn injuries.

The Fire Marshal's Office has ruled the fire to be accidental in nature

Tagged: Ashburn, Fire, Fire Department, Leesburg, Sterling

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