Animals Unharmed After Barn Fire Causes $307,000 In Damage In Lovettsville

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A barn caught fire in Lovettsville on Monday morning, according to a report from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. No injuries were reported to any animals or humans during the blaze.

At 9:13 a.m., a caller told authorities that their barn had caught fire and was spreading quickly. First responders from Lovettsville, Lucketts, Hamilton, Purcellville, Leesburg, and units from Frederick County, Maryland were dispatched to the scene in the 12000 block of Downey Mill Road in Lovettsville.

When units arrived on the scene, they reported seeing a substantial amount of smoke and determined that they would need more water. The area is not served by fire hydrants, so a tanker task force brought additional water from Loudoun Heights, Frederick County, Maryland, and Montgomery County, Maryland.

The barn, which was about 100 feet by 100 feet, was fully engulfed in flames when units arrived on the scene. First responders worked with the residents to evacuate all of the animals in the barn, while other units shuttled water from a nearby pond on Lovettsville Road, authorities said in their report.

Units deployed multiple hose lines to combat the fire, which was extinguished an hour later.

The fire marshal's office determined that the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical issue. Damages were estimated to total $307,000.

After the fire, officials warned residents about the dangers of electrical cords. "With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard," officials said in a news release.

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue offered the following tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International:

• Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring.
• Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance.
• Heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.
• Make sure the extension cord or temporary power strip you use is rated for the products to be plugged in and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.