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Fire and rescue units from Cascades, Sterling Park, Lansdowne, and Fairfax County responded to the scene at 290 Chelmsford Court in Sterling, at about 8:30 p.m., Monday, January 21, 2013. Arriving units reported fire from the roof of a two-story, end unit townhome. The occupants, who were alerted to the fire by neighbors, were able to get out of the house prior to arrival of fire and rescue crews.
The fire was under control within twenty minutes and was contained to the one unit. There were no reported injuries. The occupants of the home were displaced by the fire and are staying locally with friends.
The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office determined the cause to be accidental in nature, originating from the chimney and spreading to the roof. Fire officials remind residents to be diligent about safety when heating their homes this winter. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors account for the largest share of home heating fire incidents. Creosote build-up is the leading cause of chimney fires. Follow these safety precautions to ensure your family is safe:
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from your fireplace or wood stove.
- Have your chimney, fireplace, or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually.
- Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been split, stacked, and allowed to dry for 12 months.
- Have a sturdy screen on a fireplace, and allow ashes to cool before disposing of them in a metal container away from your home.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
- Ensure smoke alarms are installed and functional, testing them once a month.
More information on how to heat your home safely is online at www.loudoun.gov/heating-safety.
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