Sterling House Caught Fire While Resident Showered: Authorities

STERLING, VA — A home in Sterling caught fire on Monday afternoon, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue officials said. The home's lone occupant was in the shower when he heard the smoke alarm and evacuated.

The resident, who authorities identified as an adult man, was evaluated by emergency crews at the scene. He declined treatment and was not taken to a hospital, authorities said.

The fire began around 3:40 p.m. on Monday at the home on Thrush Court in Sterling. When fire crews arrived on the scene, the occupant had already evacuated from the burning building. Flames emerged from the front and back of the one-story house, authorities said.

Firefighters knocked down the bulk of the blaze from the outside before entering the home and extinguishing the remaining fire.

Investigators determined that the fire began accidentally due to combustible materials stored near a water heater. Authorities estimated that the fire caused $310,200 in damage to the home and $186,120 in damage to the home's contents.

"Remember to always keep combustible items at least 36-inches away from any heating appliances or heat generating equipment in your homes," the fire department said in a news release. "It is also imperative to have working smoke alarms in your home and a home escape plan in case of fire. The resident in this case was in the shower and was alerted to the fire when the smoke alarms began to sound, giving him critical time to escape. "

Authorities reminded residents to check their smoke alarms on a monthly basis and change their batteries once a year.