An overnight house fire that erupted in Ashburn has been traced to ashes that weren't properly thrown away, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue reported. According to a social media post from the agency, the blaze was accidental, with the Fire Marshal’s Office determining that the fire started in the garage of a home on Citation Drive on Saturday night due to improperly discarded smoking materials.
Multiple 911 calls after 9:00 p.m. prompted a response from fire units hailing from Ashburn, Lansdowne, and other stations, including a Fairfax County team. Having arrived on the scene, responding firefighters found the garage fire spreading to the second floor of the house, eventually causing a part of the garage ceiling to collapse. During overhaul operations, the presence of lithium-phosphorus batteries necessitated support from a Hazardous Materials Team.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, which displaced one adult and two canines. The incident inflicted an estimated $485,000 in damages, as per fire officials, with $350,000 worth of damage to the structure itself, another $80,000 to its contents, and $55,000 to a neighboring property. Fire Marshal’s post highlighted the importance of proper disposal techniques for smoking materials and offered preventive tips to avoid such disasters.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue has provided safety recommendations for smokers such as extinguishing cigarettes completely every time and disposing of them in deep, sturdy ashtrays placed on stable surfaces to prevent tipping over. Containers should be frequently cleaned and never housed on front porches, decks, or adjacent to doorways. Fire prevention and further life safety information is readily available on the Loudoun County website or through direct contact with Lisa Montalvo, the Public Education Manager.
