Fire Marshal’s Offer Safety Tips After Accidental Fire Displaces Aldie Family

The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (LCFR-FMO) offers important safety tips after an accidental fire displaces four Aldie residents on Monday.

Just after 12:30 p.m. on June 2, 2025, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire in the 41000 block of Nicholson Meadows Place in Aldie. The initial caller reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home.

Fire and rescue crews from Aldie, Kirkpatrick Farms, Dulles South, and Prince William County, along with multiple command staff responded. Firefighters arrived to find a large, three-story residence with fire and heavy smoke coming from the rear of the home. All occupants had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of first responders and were located safely outside.

Fire crews quickly located fire on the first floor and basement levels and began an aggressive fire attack. Units had the bulk of the fire extinguished within twenty minutes and remained on scene overhauling the structure, looking for any fire spread and ventilating the residence.

The LCFR-FMO investigation determined the fire was accidental, caused when an unattended open flame device came in contact with nearby combustibles. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported.
Two adults and two children have been displaced with damages estimated at $950,000 ($356,069 for the structure and $590,931 in contents).

Per 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.