Two Virginia Fires Illustrate Modern Housing Dilemma

July 3, 2007
Loudoun County's chief fire marshal says homes built over the last two decades use lighter lumber and connection plates that can easily separate during a fire.

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LEESBURG, Va.-- A busy Monday morning for firefighters in Loudoun County, Virginia. Two fires in single-family homes in Leesburg, an hour apart, caused more than $1 million in damage and injured two people.

Loudoun County's Chief Fire Marshal Keith Brower says the pair of fires helps illustrate a problem firefighters across the country are dealing with. One of the fires was in an older home. While that fire reached the attic, the house is still standing.

The other fire was in a more modern home. It burned to the ground. Brower says homes built over the last two decades use lighter lumber and connection plates that can easily separate during a fire. He says a combination of faster fire spread and a greater collapse potential often keeps firefighters from getting into the house and stopping the fires.

Loudoun County Fire spokesperson Mary Maguire says the first fire was caused by a malfunctioning lamp in a bedroom. It was reported at 4:38 a.m. at 101 Cherry Lane, NE. One person was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. Damage is believed to be around $250,000.

Just before 5:30 a.m. firefighters found a home engulfed in flames at 701 Seaton Court, NE. That home is a little more than two miles from the first fire. The fire destroyed the house, with the loss estimated at $750,000. The vinyl siding on 4 adjacent homes melted, causing another $60,000 in damage. One occupant of the home was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.

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