Fire Destroys Leesburg Home

Loudoun County fire marshals remained on the scene Tuesday morning after a fire destroyed a two-story single-family home at 16605 Ferriers Ct. in Leesburg.

Units from Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management, Leesburg, Lucketts, Ashburn, Hamilton, South Riding, Purcellville, Round Hill, and Carrol Manor responded to the call around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The fire, which began inside the garage, spread quickly throughout the house and extended into the second floor and attic, according to Mary Maguire, fire department public affairs officer.

Crews began to attack the fire but were ordered to evacuate because of deteriorating conditions, she said. Command set up a defensive operation in order to attack the fire, while the home's fire-resistant siding helped slow the spread of the fire on the exterior of the home. Crews reported that the bulk of the fire was out in about 1 hour 10 minutes, Maguire said. 

During Tuesday's investigation, members of the Irvine family stood in a nearby driveway to inspect the damage to their home. Karla Irvine, who was home with two of her children when the fire broke out, said she is thankful that everyone is OK. The family has insurance, she said, and is staying at a nearby hotel.

Maguire said a cause for the fire has yet to be determined. The damage is estimated to be $800,000.

Irvine said she didn't want anyone to feel obligated to send her family donations. "I have always been a giver," she said, and her family will just have to take it day by day until they are able to get back on their feet.