For Additional Information:
Firefighter Laura Rinehart, Public Information Officer
[email protected] or 571-233-1649
November 28, 2016
For Immediate Release:
Stone Ridge Townhouse Fire Ruled Accidental
Stone Ridge, VA. – A Loudoun County family is safe after smoke alarms alerted them to a fire in their home, allowing them to escape unharmed.
The Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center began receiving calls just after 6:15 a.m. Saturday, November 26th, for a house fire at 24740 Carbonate Terrace in the Dulles District of Loudoun County. Fire and rescue crews from South Riding, Brambleton, Moorefield, Aldie, Philomont and Fairfax County responded to the call.
Firefighters arrived to find an end-of-row, three story townhome with heavy fire coming from the front garage area and extending into the second floor. First responders on the scene confirmed that four people who had been in the home at the time of the fire were able to safely escape, having been alerted by functioning smoke alarms. The occupants of the adjoining townhomes were also able to safely escape.
Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire, preventing it from extending into adjacent structures. The home where the fire originated suffered extensive damage. The Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing their investigation but has ruled the fire accidental, originating inside the garage. Damages to the structure, contents, motorcycle and truck parked in driveway are estimated at $450,000. The occupants of the home are displaced and staying locally with family. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
“Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in alerting a person to the dangers of smoke and fire,” said W. Keith Brower, Jr., Chief of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System. “Therefore, it is critical that these life-saving devices are checked and tested frequently to ensure proper functioning.”
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue’s “Put a Finger on It” smoke alarm campaign offers free home safety and smoke alarm inspections to all Loudoun County residents. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the department hotline 703-737-8093 or visit www.loudoun.gov/smokealarms.
In addition to regular testing and maintenance of your smoke alarms, develop and practice a home escape plan so that everyone in the home knows what to do if a smoke alarm sounds. To learn about creating a home escape plan or to get valuable fire safety information, visit www.loudoun.gov/fire or call Lisa Braun, Public Education Manager, at 571-258-3222.
Photo credit: LCFR
