Entries for July 2008

MARTINSVILLE, Va. –   The Martinsville Fire Marshal’s Office and the Martinsville Police Department are continuing a joint investigation into the fire that caused heavy damage to a vacant house located at 230 Pine Street in Martinsville on June 30.  Firefighters were dispatched to what was described as a smoke investigation at approximately 7:00 a.m. Upon arrival, they found heavy smoke coming from the upstairs area of the two story residential structure. The electrical meter was pulled and Martinsville Electric Department employees cut all power to the residence at the pole.  The structure was vacant at the time firefighters arrived on scene. Records indicate that no one had claimed the house as a residence for some time and there was no utility service to the residence at the time of the incident. The sight of smoke was reported by neighbors who live nearby.  Assistance was provided on scene by Stone Ambulance Service, the Martinsville Police Department, and the Martinsville Electric Department. 

Investigators have reason to believe the fire is of suspicious origin and are continuing to gather evidence and information in this case. This house is the last residence located on the right side of Pine Street and is within sight of the City’s new exercise trail, which runs adjacent to the former railroad line. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen any type of suspicious or unusual activity at or near the residence recently to report what they saw.  If you have information pertaining to this incident you should contact the Martinsville Fire Marshal’s Office at 403-5202, the Martinsville Police Department Investigations Unit at 403-5301, the 911 Center, or Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up to $1,000 in certain cases. You do not have to reveal your identity.  Report tips anonymously to 63-CRIME (276-632-7463).

When fire crews arrived on the scene they encountered heavy smoke from the central portion of the facility. Maintenance crews had been working near a machine that is used to spray finishing stain onto furniture trim pieces. The crews were drilling holes through metal and some of the heated metal shavings fell into the finishing machine, igniting the flammable materials inside.

Fire crews used traditional methods such as foam and dry chemical extinguishers. However, these proved to be largely ineffective in extinguishing the smoldering fire. The machine was then unbolted from the floor and removed from the building with assistance from Martinsville Public Works Department crews who used a front end loader to carry the machine to a safe location outside.  Firefighters, along with the city’s public safety officer, consulted with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management who advised them to cover the machine with dirt until the blaze extinguished fully on its own. The site where the machine sits, now covered with dirt, will be monitored by employees from Southern Finishing overnight; no further problems are expected. There were no injuries and no structural damage to the finishing facility.