Brambleton Fire is Third Two-Alarm Blaze for Loudoun in Two Days

UPDATE: Facebook page created to identify needs for families impacted by Brambleton fire: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156440364432093.

A fire in a Brambleton home early Monday morning marked the third two-alarm fire in Loudoun County in two days. The incidents were not related.

A 911 call to the Loudoun Emergency Communications Center at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 1 alerted firefighters to a structure fire on the 23400 block of Spice Bush Terrace in Brambleton. Responders found heavy black smoke rushing form the rear of a townhouse in the middle of the row.

Fast-spreading flames caused the responding unit to request additional units. Fire and rescue units form Arcola, Moorefield, Dulles South, Ashburn, Sterling, Lansdowne, Aldie and Middleburg reported to the scene.

The Loudoun Fire Marshal’s Office deemed the fire an accident that resulted from improperly disposed smoking materials left on a rear deck. Two adults and one child have been displaced and damages have been estimated at $150,000. Two adults and one child from an immediately adjacent unit were also displaced with $75,000 damage to their home. Two additional townhouses also received minor damages.

On Sunday, July 31, the communications center received calls at 7:06 p.m. for two separate incidents that, like the Brambleton fire, were two-alarm blazes.

One of the July 31 calls reported heavy smoke rising from the strip center at 46000 Old Ox Road. The first units on the scene confirmed a working fire and requested assistance. Units arrived from the Moorefield, Sterling, Dulles South and Ashburn as well as Fairfax County and the Metropolitan Washing Airports Authority.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause of that fire. No civilian injuries were reported; one firefighter was transported from the scene to be checked out.

In the second July 31 incident, callers reported a house ablaze on the 40000 block of Cordgrass Circle in Arcola. The first units to arrive found a single-family home in flames, with significant fire showing and severe exposure threats on either side. A second alarm was sounded to help protect neighboring structures. With the potential for collapse, crews performed an aggressive exterior attack, bringing the fire under control within the hour. Responding units included Dulles South, Arcola-Pleasant Valley, Leesburg, Fairfax County and Prince William County.

The house was a total loss. Two adults and two children were displaced and are staying with family members. One person at the scene sustained a leg injury, while one firefighter suffered a heat-related illness. Both were transported for treatment.

The fire marshal is investigating the incident.

Check out the Ashburn Patch Facebook page for a video of firefighters working the Brambleton blaze that Sean Farrell posted.