For Additional Information:
Laura Rinehart, Public Information Officer
Laura.Rinehart@loudoun.gov or 571-233-1649
October 7, 2017
For Immediate Release:
Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Cause Lovettsville Fire that Displaced Eight
Lovettsville, VA. – An early morning fire in Lovettsville is attributed to the improper disposal of smoking materials, causing $525,000 in damages and displacing eight residents.
At 5:15 a.m. Saturday, October 7th, Fire and Rescue personnel from Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Frederick County Maryland, Lucketts and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue command staff responded for a house fire at 27 Cooper Run St. in Lovettsville. Firefighters arrived at the single family home and encountered significant fire and smoke conditions in the rear and on two floors of the home.
The homeowners had been alerted to the fire by a neighbor and were located safely outside when firefighters arrived. Fire crews immediately deployed hoselines to the rear of the structure and, once the bulk of the fire was knocked down, entered the home to extinguish the remaining fire. Crews remained on scene for an extended period of time performing extensive overhaul operations ensuring there was no additional fire. Members of Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad provided canteen services for the first responders working on scene.
The eight family members residing in the home escaped without injury however three family pets were found deceased. Additionally, three firefighters were transported to a local area hospital for medical evaluation.
Per the National Fire Protection Association, smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. You can avoid becoming a statistic by following some simple safety measures:
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Put your cigarette out in a metal or ceramic container filled with sand or use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
- Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water to make sure they are really out before you put them in the trash.
- Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.
- Be alert! Don’t smoke if you’re sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medication that causes drowsiness.
- Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach.
Additionally, the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office recommends that every residence have working smoke alarms on each level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue’s “Put a Finger on It” smoke alarm program offers free home safety surveys and smoke alarms Loudoun County residents. If your smoke alarms are broken or outdated we will replace them with battery powered alarms at no cost and install additional alarms as necessary. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the department hotline 703-737-8093 or visit www.loudoun.gov/smokealarms.
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