At approximately 4:32 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call for a reported structure fire in the 13000 block of Orrison Road in Lovettsville.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) units from Lovettsville, Lucketts, and Purcellville, as well as Frederick County, Maryland were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, crews found a two-story single-family home with a large volume of fire pushing through the second story and roof. Firefighters began extinguishing the fire with an exterior defensive attack, during which the structure began to collapse in on itself due to the intensity of the fire. The fire was brought under control after approximately an hour of extinguishment.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (LCFR FMO) investigation classified the fire as accidental, caused by the spontaneous combustion of construction materials, specifically oil soaked staining applicators consisting of rollers and brushes. The damages are estimated at $680,000. No occupants were displaced, as the structure was unoccupied at the time of the incident and there were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.
Community members are reminded to properly dispose of all combustible materials. After using stain applicators, they should be placed in a safe location outside, away from the structure to dry before discarding. Never pile rags, brushes, or rollers together, rather lay them flat on an exterior surface and allow them to completely dry. For more information about fire prevention and life safety, visit our website.