12 Displaced By 2 House Fires In Loudoun County Over Extended Thanksgiving Holiday

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend prompted two house fire responses by Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. The fires in Sterling and Leesburg displaced five and seven residents, respectively. The latter caused one injury that did not require a hospital visit.

The first fire happened around 9:49 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 in the 200 block of North Cottage Road in the Algonkian District area of Sterling. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the townhouse and quickly extinguished a fire on the second floor and in the attic. There were no injuries to firefighters or residents.

Five people were displaced due to the fire, and the fire department estimated damages to be $431,200. The cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction in a bedroom closet.

Firefighters from Sterling, Kincora, and Moorefield, Fairfax County, and a Rapid Intervention Task Force assisted with the response.

The other fire occurred around 1:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 in the 17700 block of Leeland Orchard Road in the Catoctin District west of the Town of Leesburg. Units encountered fire showing from the basement level windows of the two-story single-family home. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the inside and searched for any trapped residents. One resident was evaluated on scene but declined to be taken to the hospital. No firefighters were injured.

A GoFundMe account was started to support the Wheeler family as they lost their home. Sir and Janae Wheeler own VVS Events, an event marketing agency that has supported small businesses in the D.C. region.

Larry Lichtenauer of Lawrence Howard & Associates, Inc. told Patch the Wheelers are a multigenerational household of seven who had to "watch helplessly as their home was destroyed." In the first 12 hours after the fire, the family faced $10,000 in expenses for hotels, clothing, business equipment replacements, and more basic necessities.

Lichtenauer described the Wheelers as a "foundation of the Leesburg community and beyond."

"Just hours before this tragedy, they were creating cherished memories for the Brambleton Town Center community by kicking off a festive and joyous tree lighting ceremony," Lichtenauer shared. "Earlier that same day, they were recognized for their generosity in donating playground equipment to a local preschool. For over 10 years, Janae and Sir Wheeler have dedicated themselves to their business, VVS Events, creating opportunities for small businesses across the Metro DC area and providing employment to many."

The GoFundMe will help immediate needs like temporary housing with five bedrooms so the children can remain in their schools.

The fire marshal's investigation found the fire was due to combustibles too close to a heat source. Seven people were displaced and are being helped by the Red Cross. Damages were estimated to be $661,056.

Crews from Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville, Ashburn, Moorefield, Lansdowne, Kincora and Round Hill responded along with the Rapid Intervention Task Force and rehab unit.

Smoke alarms were working in both of the homes. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office stressed the importance of working smoke alarms, which the National Fire Protection Association says can prevent most of the reported civilian fire deaths in the U.S. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue allows residents to request a smoke alarm assessment for free. Fire and rescue personnel will check smoke alarms in homes and provide fire safety information. Visits may be requested online or by calling the Fire and Life Safety Hotline at 703-737-8093.