At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 9-1-1 call from a homeowner stating there were flames coming out of her home in the 19900 block of Unison Road in the Little River District. Due to the increase in fire calls throughout the County and a significant brush fire in the Philomont area, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) units in the first due area of this incident were committed and unable to respond. As a result, units from Purcellville, Round Hill, Hamilton, Leesburg, Clarke County, and Mt. Weather were dispatched to this second reported fire in the Philomont area. Upon arrival, fire and rescue crews found a two-story, single-family home with significant fire throughout the attic and roof. Numerous handlines and a master stream from Tower Ladder 602 were deployed to extinguish the large volume of fire from the exterior of the home. Subsequently, a Tanker Task Force, Rapid Intervention Task Force, and numerous command officers responded to the scene before the fire was ultimately brought under control.
The LCFR Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) investigation is currently classified as undetermined as the area of origin is unsafe to enter. Due to the structural instability of the probable area of origin, the fire will remain under investigation until investigators can safely gather additional data. Smoke alarms were present and activated during the incident, and a total of three occupants were displaced and declined the assistance of the Red Cross. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Damages are estimated at $1,141,724.
From 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, to 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, LCFR units responded to 32 reported outside fires, 31 fire investigations, and eight reported structure fires. As a reminder, the LCFR FMO has imposed a burn restriction, as of March 20, due to unfavorable weather conditions and will be in place until further notice. Remember, if you see smoke or fire, always call 9-1-1.
Fires occurring in rural areas bring additional challenges for fire and rescue personnel; long travel distances, limited water supplies, and at times, fires that may go undetected for prolonged periods of time. Community members living in rural areas are encouraged to consider how public safety personnel will make access when responding to their homes. The majority of fire apparatus is wide, long, and tall, which can be problematic if responding crews encounter driveways that are not properly maintained. While the specifications for "Fire Apparatus Access Roads” are not required for single-family dwellings located outside of subdivisions, considerations for the size of fire and rescue apparatus can help us help you. Maintaining a well-compacted road surface that is a minimum of 15-20 feet wide, with an unobstructed vertical clearance of at least 14 feet, will help ensure our apparatus and trained personnel can get to you in a safe and timely manner.
Visit our website for more fire and life safety information, and to learn more about open burning in Loudoun County.