Firefighter Injured, 13 People Displaced After Leesburg Fire

LEESBURG, VA — A fire at a townhouse in Leesburg injured a firefighter and displaced 13 people on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The firefighter received treatment at a hospital and was released on Tuesday, according to the fire department. One resident suffered minor burns.

In total, the fire made three homes uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage. The displaced residents are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

The fire marshal's office has not determined what caused the fire.

The fire began around 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The initial call reported an explosion and a fire at a home in the 42000 block of Running Creek Lane. As fire crews drove to the scene, they requested additional units due to visible black smoke, according to the fire department.

The firefighters saw heavy fire emerging through the back and the roof of the home and learned that all the residents successfully escaped. Fire crews also noted flames showing through windows on all three levels of the home, authorities said.

The firefighters attacked the blaze from the outside, and the non-combustible siding of the neighboring townhouses kept the fire from spreading.

Though the flames did not spread beyond the initial townhouse, the adjacent homes became uninhabitable due to water damage and smoke damage, the fire department said.

Authorities said smoke alarms played an important role in waking the residents and encouraging them to escape their home. Fire officials are urging residents to ensure their smoke alarms are properly installed and working.