Crews responded to the fire at the three-story "McMansion-style" home in the 42600 block of Cochrans Lock Drive in Ashburn at approximately 8:19 p.m. after resident reported smoke coming from the front door and chimney, according to Deputy Chief Randall Shank.
"There was heavy smoke to the floor and (firefighters) were having issues locating fire with TIC due to the layout of the house," he said.
At approximately 8:45 p.m., a portion of the kitchen floor collapsed after an oven fell through it. Shank said this is where the fire originated and attributed the collapse to lightweight construction and the size of the commercial-style oven.
Soon after the collapse, the first firefighter fell through the hole into the basement and suffered contusions to his leg and body.
The impact of the fall knocked off his face mask and a glove
The second firefighter fell into the hole shortly after his comrade did, and sustained only bruises after he hit the basement floor.
They were fortunate that other firefighters were already working in the basement and were able to make it out on their own.
When the collapse occurred, Shank said a majority of the fire -- which did not spread to the basement -- was out.
He said that the combination of the time the fire burned before it was reported and the presence of lightweight construction contributed the conditions inside the home.
"I think (lightweight construction) certainly contributed to it. The oven probably wouldn't have gone through the floor if it was conventional construction," he said. "In the grand scheme of things, this wasn't a big fire; but due to the long burn it was very hot."
In May 2008, seven Loudoun County firefighters were injured after being forced to bailout a second-story window after condition worsened. An investigation that followed the incident spurred changes within the department, which now stresses 360 size-ups at all working fires.
"Compressive walk arounds are imperative to being able to determine where the fire originated and pinpointing risks," Shank said.
About the Author
Paul Peluso
Staff Writer
Paul Peluso is a Firehouse.com staff writer and has worked for the Web site since 2006. Previously, he worked as a reporter for several community newspapers located in the suburbs of Baltimore, Md. Since joining the newsteam, Paul has covered various fire service issues including fire sprinklers, grants, line of duty deaths and technology. While he started out at the Beltsville, Md. office, he has since moved to Florida where he works out of his home office in Tampa.