Loudoun House Fire Causes $200K Of Damage; Residents Safe

PURCELLVILLE, VA — Two residents were displaced from their home in Purcellville after a Friday night fire, according to Loudoun County fire officials. The residents were safely outside the house when firefighters arrived. One of the residents was evaluated by paramedics on the scene and one firefighter was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire was accidental due to hot ashes from the fireplace igniting nearby combustibles in and around the fireplace. The damages are estimated at $200,000.

At about 10 p.m. Friday night, a resident called 911 stating that their home was on fire in the 200 block of East G Street in Purcellville. Fire and rescue units from Purcellville, Round Hill, Hamilton, Philomont, Leesburg, Ashburn and Loudoun Heights were dispatched to the fire. The firefighters arrived on the scene to find an active fire in the rear of the house with a possible fire inside the house.

Fire officials said the residents were alerted to the fire by multiple smoke alarms that activated in the home. "The smoke alarms allowed the family precious moments to remove themselves from danger and call for help, avoiding potential injury and more extensive damages," Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said Sunday in a news release.

Residents should use caution when disposing of fireplace ashes or any hot materials in or around their houses, according to fire officials. Ashes should be soaked thoroughly with water, in a metal container with a lid, and allowed to cool for 48 hours. The metal container should be kept outside, a safe distance away from your home or any other structure.