STERLING, VA. – Firefighters battled a house fire on the 20400 block of Broad Run Drive in Sterling on Sunday afternoon, with heavy flames and smoke reported from the roof when crews arrived, according to Loudoun Fire Rescue. 

Fire burns at home on Broad Run Drive in Sterling

What we know:

Emergency crews arrived at the home just after 4:15 p.m. and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the roof, according to authorities. A Rapid Intervention Task Force and Tanker Task Force were requested to help fight the fire and support operations shortly thereafter, with multiple fire and rescue units working together to control the fire and keep the area safe. 

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and warned the public to expect emergency vehicles and crews in the area for an extended period. Residents nearby were advised to stay clear of the area, authorities said. 

What we don’t know:

Authorities have not released information about possible injuries, the cause of the fire or the extent of damage to the home.

RICHMOND, Va. — A Florida driver led Virginia State Police on a wild chase up Interstate 95, ramming a car off the road and causing at least a dozen incidents before being arrested on Saturday.

Troopers began pursuing a pickup truck with Florida tags in Petersburg. At mile marker 78, which is near the exit for Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond, troopers witnessed the driver ram a car off the road.

State Police said the pickup truck driver caused at least a dozen more incidents during the chase, but nobody was seriously injured.

The driver was finally stopped in Spotsylvania County and arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Romance novels are booming, and a Chesapeake bookstore is capitalizing on the trend by specializing exclusively in the genre.

Novel Grounds bookstore offers everything from cowboys to dragons to dark romance across 33 different subgenres.

“So we have our cowboys and our sports, and we’ve got the dragons and the dark romance,” owner Megan Gallt said.

Gallt worked in the book-publishing business for more than 10 years before opening her dream bookstore dedicated to romance in 2023.

“It’s been phenomenal. We could not be any more embraced by the community, and we are having more fun than we already are. Chesapeake loves its romance books!” Gallt said.

Customer Shelley McDaniel-Griffin has bought 339 books since the store opened.

“The community they’ve built and the friendships I’ve made with coworkers and staff — it’s just amazing,” McDaniel-Griffin said.

Novel Grounds features books from 80% independent authors, including Virginia Beach writer Jana Sun.

“I like to blend fantasy into romance, but I love the magic and the whimsy. I love making the reader fall in love,” Sun said.

With 33 romance subgenres available, customers can easily feel overwhelmed. The store’s staff helps guide readers to their perfect match.

“I want you to come into Novel Grounds. We’re going to be all up in your business, and we are going to find that book for you and introduce you to some authors you won’t find anywhere else,” Gallt said.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.