Chantilly Apartment Fire Displaces 33, Causes $700K In Damage

CHANTILLY, VA – The apartment building fire that brought rescue crews from several surrounding towns on Monday was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, Loudoun County Fire officials have determined.

Just after 4:30 p.m. on Monday, emergency crews responded to the 25.000 block of Caversham Terrace in Chantilly. Fire and rescue crews from Dulles South, Brambleton, Kirkpatrick Farms, Fairfax Fire and Rescue, and Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority were on scene.

When firefighters arrived, they found fire and smoke coming from the second floor of a garden-style apartment building. The fire reached the third floor and attic, as well, officials said.

Fire crews were able to knock down the fire and remained on scene putting out hotspots for some time afterwards.

Twenty-three adults, 10 children and five pets were displaced due to the fire. One person was evaluated on scene but was not transported to a hospital. No firefighters were injured. One cat was killed in the fire.

According to the fire marshal, the fire was caused by the disposal of smoking materials into a plastic container on the balcony of a second floor apartment.

The fire caused $700,000 in damage.