Purcellville, VA Apartments Evacuated Over Unsafe Stairs

Loudoun County officials ordered residents out of upstairs apartments at Purcellville East Apartments on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, after inspectors found damaged and collapsed stairways they judged unsafe. The county said it is taking over the work of finding temporary housing, a duty that normally falls to a property owner.

What happened

The complex sits at 110-120 N. 16th Street in Purcellville, according to Patch. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue first noted unsafe conditions on Sunday, Oct. 25. On Thursday, the county's Fire Marshal's Office and Department of Building and Development posted unsafe-structure notices and told residents of upstairs units to leave. Residents on the ground floor were allowed to stay in their homes.

Patch reported that six buildings were evacuated, covering 24 units and 55 people, two of which units were vacant. The complex has 46 units in all. WJLA put the number at 56 people who would need hotel rooms for at least the next few nights, and described 22 affected apartments. The outlets' counts differ slightly, and officials had not issued a single final tally in the reports we read.

The conditions and the dispute

The hazard is the stairways that lead to second-floor apartments. Building officials confirmed they were damaged, and WJLA reported that the county also cited multiple building-code violations. A fire marshal's office official said management must correct them.

The property's management contact, William Fekas, told WJLA that the evacuation was excessive. He said a worker was scheduled to repair a staircase the following week but that finding a welder had been difficult, and that the property has had no on-site manager for about six months. Danny Davis, Loudoun's deputy county administrator, said the county stepped in because of the owner's "lack of response."

The complex has a record of complaints. Patch reported that Purcellville cited problems in May, including leaking water, tall grass and piles of junk, and that residents complained about uncollected garbage in September. WJLA quoted a local nonprofit founder, Elizabeth Ford of BetterALife, who said she had warned about the complex for years.

Who owns and funds it

Patch reported that private owners run the complex, but federal money helps support it through USDA rural financing and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The county's 2026 apartment guide listed rents starting at $746 for a one-bedroom and reaching $828 for a three-bedroom. Rents at that level matter here: households that pay them often cannot easily cover hotels or a deposit on a new place if a building is closed without warning.

What this means for renters

Evacuations tied to structural conditions are different from fires, because the cause is often a maintenance problem that tenants reported long before. If you rent in a building with similar issues, these steps can help:

• Report hazards in writing. Send repair requests for stairs, railings, balconies and walkways by email or letter and keep copies.
• Contact local code enforcement if the landlord does not respond. In Loudoun County, inspectors and the fire marshal's office act on unsafe structures.
• Document everything. Date-stamped photos of damage and a record of each complaint can matter later.
• If you are displaced, keep receipts for lodging, meals and transportation, and ask the county and your landlord in writing who is responsible for those costs. Rules on relocation and rent during an evacuation vary by state and by situation, so a local legal aid office can explain your rights.
• Check your renters insurance. Some policies cover temporary housing when a building is ordered vacated, though terms differ.

Affected residents can reach Loudoun County at (703) 777-0420, according to Patch. No timeline has been given for repairs or for when residents can return. Our guide to the first 72 hours after losing your home covers many of the same practical steps.

This story is based on reporting from WJLA and Patch and will be updated as officials release more information.