Leesburg Fire Causes $2M In Damage, Injures A Firefighter: Authorities

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A fire fully engulfed a home in Leesburg on Thursday, injuring a firefighter, causing millions of dollars in damage, and leaving a family cat missing.

Investigators believe the fire in the 40200 block of Browns Creek Place was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Medical staff evaluated the firefighter at an area hospital.

The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office said the blaze caused $2 million in damage. The damages included $1.2 million for the primary home, $750,000 for the residents' belongings, and $200,000 for neighboring properties. The fire displaced five people.

The fire broke out around 11:10 a.m. on Thursday. The first responders reported that the residents had already evacuated and the single-family house was fully engulfed in flames.

"This home is in an area of Loudoun County where fire hydrants are not present, and additional fire and rescue units were dispatched from Ashburn, Kirkpatrick Farms, Lucketts, Purcellville, Lovettsville, and Prince William County to assist with water supply operations," fire and rescue officials said. "These additional units shuttled water to the scene from nearby water sources such as local ponds via 3,000-gallon water tanks to ensure the crews fighting the fire had an adequate supply of water throughout the entire operation."

Loudoun county fire officials urged residents not to smoke indoors. They also noted that cigarettes should be fully extinguished in a sturdy container every time.