Unattended candle causes Sterling Fire

An accidental house fire in Sterling on Tuesday night displaced a family of four after an unattended candle caught fire on a rear deck.

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units from Sterling Park, Cascades, and Kincora, as well as units from Fairfax County, were dispatched just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, for a reported house fire in the 100 block of N. Sequoia Court.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire from the rear of the home and requested a Rapid Intervention Taskforce to bring additional fire and rescue resources to the scene. All occupants had evacuated and were located safely outside.

Crews extinguished the fire on the exterior of the home and the fire on the first floor. Firefighters remained on scene checking for hot spots and assisting the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office with their investigation. The LCFR-FMO determined the fire originated on the attached rear deck due to an unattended burning candle that ignited nearby combustibles. Damages to the home are estimated at $350,000 ($275,000 for the structure and $75,000 for the contents). One neighboring home suffered heat damage to the exterior of the residence. One adult occupant was evaluated for a minor injury but declined transport. No firefighter injuries were reported. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three of every five candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle. Whether burning candles for ambiance or for religious observation, fire safety should be an important consideration any time they are used in the home.

• Always place candles on a sturdy, nonflammable surface, away from children, pets and anything that can burn.
• Candles, votives and incense require constant supervision by an adult. Always ensure that all items are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
• If a candle is being burned as part of a religious practice and must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.
• A safer alternative is using flameless candles that still look and smell like real candles.

Remember, working smoke alarms save lives! Your home should have smoke alarms on every level, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. For more information on smoke alarms, visit loudoun.gov/smokealarms. For additional fire prevention and life safety information, visit loudoun.gov/fire or call 703-737-8600.