A building housing a Leesburg, Virginia, long-time business caught fire Saturday night, destroying an apartment and damaging the jewelry store on the first floor.
Fire crews responded to the unit block of South King Street for reports of a fire. A second alarm was called as firefighters began battling the blaze around 9:20 p.m. Saturday.
Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd said flames were shooting out of the second story apartment, and outside wires were popping at the scene. She said no one was seriously injured, but pets did die in the fire.
The building houses Caulkins Jewelers, a business that opened in 1956 by Stanley Caulkins, a World War II veteran and community volunteer, and is co-owned by his brother, Roger. The business has been a fixture in historic Downtown Leesburg for decades.
Rescue units transported one adult occupant of the fire apartment to Lansdowne Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Additionally, one firefighter and a civilian that was on the scene were transported for medical evaluation.
Loudoun County Animal Control responded to the scene to care for several deceased pets that were lost in the fire. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. The anticipated loss to the structure involved and its contents is approximately $500,000.
