A deceased victim has been found inside the home of the origin of a fire that destroyed three Ashburn homes and damaged a fourth early Tuesday morning.
The victim’s identification and cause of death will be released following an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The fire that broke out on Nashua Street was determined to be accidental, caused by the improper discarding of smoking materials outside the home, according to the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Marshal’s Office.
Around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls reporting the fire. Firefighters from the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System responded to the initial call. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, a Rapid Intervention Task force and a second alarm were called in to assist.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire on multiple floors of the home. Due to windy conditions, the fire spread to houses on either side. Fire crews attacked the fire from the exterior while others searched for occupants in the neighboring houses.
Two residents inside the house of origin were able to self-evacuate. They were transported to Medstar Washington Burn Center for minor injuries.
A total of nine adults and two children have been displaced following the fire, according to the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Marshal’s Office. The Red Cross is now assisting in the neighborhood.
The Fire Marshal’s Office estimated the total damages from the fire to be $4 million.
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