On Monday, January 24, 2022, at approximately 9:13 a,m., the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a barn on fire with animals inside. The caller also relayed that the fire was spreading quickly.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units from Lovettsville, Lucketts, Hamilton, Purcellville, Leesburg, and units from Frederick County, Maryland were dispatched to a barn fire in the 12000 block of Downey Mill Road in Lovettsville. Responding units observed a large volume of smoke which indicated a significant size fire that would require additional water. The area of the incident is not served by fire hydrants, so a tanker task force was assigned to provide the additional water. This brought additional resources from Loudoun Heights, Frederick County, Maryland, and Montgomery County, Maryland.
The first arriving units found an approximately 100 feet by 100 feet barn involved in fire. The amount of fire led to a request for a second tanker task force bringing additional resources from Round Hill, Philomont, Lovettsville, and Frederick County, Maryland.
LCFR personnel worked with the property occupant to safely remove all animals in the barn, while other LCFR personnel established a water supply using tankers to shuttle water from a nearby pond on Lovettsville Road. Units deployed multiple hose lines to extinguish the fire. After approximately one hour the fire was extinguished.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office investigation determined that the cause was electrical, and the fire was accidental. Fire damages are estimated to be $307,000 ($300,00 in structure loss and $7,000 in content loss). No injuries were reported to animals, civilians or LCFR personnel.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue reminds citizens that using extension cords properly is critical to everyone’s safety. With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers the following tips for staying safe from electric shock and electrical fires:
- Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring.
- Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance.
- Heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.
- Make sure the extension cord or temporary power strip you use is rated for the products to be plugged in and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use.
- Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.
For additional fire prevention and life safety information, please visit Loudoun.gov/FirePrevention or call our Public Education Manager Lisa Braun at 571-258-3222.
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