Leesburg, VA - Quick thinking by Leesburg firefighters at a fire saved several classic cars parked in front of a burning downtown building on Saturday night.
Upon arrival of fire and rescue units, access to the building was made more challenging due to the presence of vehicles and attendees from the Leesburg Classic Car Show. Firefighters used salvage covers and tarps to protect several vehicles parked directly in front of 11 King Street and Leesburg Police assisted with crowd and traffic control. Firefighters simultaneously performed salvage operations in Caulkins Jewelers and other areas of the building directly beneath the fire to protect the contents from damage.
At approximately 9:20pm, Saturday June 6th, fire and rescue units from Leesburg, Ashburn, Hamilton, Lucketts, Sterling, Purcellville, Moorefield, Philomont, and Fairfax County responded to a fire in a 3-story, commercial tax-payer type structure located at 11 King Street South, in the Town of Leesburg. The building is comprised of a business on the 1st floor, with residential apartments located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find fire and smoke showing from a 2nd floor apartment in the rear of the structure as well as a large amount of smoke issuing from the front and other attached buildings. Due to the volume of fire and the speed with which it was spreading to other units, a second alarm was struck bringing additional resources.
Firefighters attacked the fire on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the fire building and made access to multiple adjoining buildings to check for fire extension. As they made their way through several neighboring apartments, firefighters conducted a thorough search for any additional occupants remaining inside.
The search was negative and crews confirmed everyone had evacuated. Multiple fire and recue crews worked together inside the structure of origin and neighboring
buildings to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. Once the fire was brought under control, crews remained on the scene until the early morning hours overhauling the structure and assisting residents.
Rescue units transported one adult occupant of the fire apartment to Lansdowne Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Additionally, one firefighter and a civilian that was on the scene were transported for medical evaluation.
Loudoun County Animal Control responded to the scene to care for several deceased pets that were lost in the fire.
The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. The anticipated loss to the structure involved and its contents is approximately $500,000. Due to smoke and water damage, as
well as loss of power, numerous apartments were unable to be occupied. The Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the displaced residents. Several Canteen units from Leesburg, Ashburn and Brambleton responded to assist all of the personnel operating at the scene of the fire.
