Fire Officials Warn of Common Fire Cause After Two Recent Accidental Fires

Fire and rescue officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution when disposing of smoking materials after two accidental fires in Leesburg resulted in the displacement of fourteen residents, injured one adult, and caused the death of a dog.

At 12:21 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, fire and rescue teams from Leesburg, Lansdowne, Ashburn, and Hamilton responded to a townhome fire located in the 300 block of Sunset Course Terrace in Leesburg.

Upon arrival, crews encountered intense flames from both the front and rear of the property. A Rapid Intervention Task Force and a second alarm were called in, bringing additional units from Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze in the initial unit as well as the fire that had spread to two adjacent townhomes. Two homeowners were evaluated for smoke inhalation, with one individual transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Firefighters located a deceased canine inside the home, and Humane Officers from Loudoun County Animal Services responded to assist.

In total, five adults from three units were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (LCFR-FMO) concluded that the fire was accidental, caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, with estimated damages amounting to $999,460.

Shortly before 1:45 p.m., while crews were still managing the Sunset Course Terrace fire, units from Lansdowne, Ashburn, Aldie, Lucketts, and Frederick County, Maryland were dispatched to a second fire in the at 70 block of Plaza Street in Leesburg. Firefighters arrived to find flames on the exterior of a first-floor apartment, which were spreading to the units above.

The fire was quickly brought under control, and crews ensured that all occupants were safely evacuated. The fire caused significant damage due to water, heat, and smoke to three units, displacing nine residents who are also receiving help from the American Red Cross.

No injuries were reported among firefighters or civilians. The LCFR-FMO determined this fire was accidental, resulting from improperly discarded smoking materials in mulch outside the first-floor apartment, with estimated structural damages of $135,000.

Improperly discarded smoking materials are a leading cause of many residential fires in Loudoun County, causing millions of dollars in damages annually. Earlier in February 2026, a fire in Ashburn attributed to discarded smoking materials caused $485,000 in damages and displaced a family along with their pets.

These types of fires can be prevented by adhering to a few simple safety guidelines:

• Smoke only outdoors and dispose of smoking materials in a deep, sturdy ashtray placed on a stable surface that won’t tip over. 
• Always make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished. Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before discarding them, as hot ashes can smolder for several days. 
• Never use plastic, potted plants, mulch, grass, leaves, or any flammables to put out smoking materials. 
• Keep containers away from any building structures. Never place them on porches, decks, or directly outside doors.

For more information on fire prevention and life safety, visit loudoun.gov/fireprevention or contact Public Education Manager Lisa Montalvo at Lisa.Montalvo@loudoun.gov or call 571-258-3111.