MARTINSVILLE – Saturday at approximately 9:22 PM, Martinsville Fire & EMS responded to a report of smoke coming from the front of Sparky’s convenience store located at 604 Starling Avenue. The first arriving firefighters from Southside’s Company 2 fire station found flames showing from the front eave of the business. While confirming everyone was out of the business, firefighters were able to quickly ladder the building and perform a knockdown of the visible flames with less than 50 gallons of water. A thorough investigation of the rest of the attic area revealed the fire had been contained to the front left corner of the attic thanks to the quick recognition and calling 911 by the business owner and the quick response by the fire department.
“Although we hate a local business has suffered a loss, it could have been much worse had it not been for the combined chain of events from the business owner recognizing the smoke and calling 911 quickly, the 911 dispatcher quickly dispatching Martinsville Fire & EMS and our firefighters being available to respond so quickly” stated Martinsville Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Ted Anderson.
"The aluminum siding of the building actually was energized, we believe, from the sign and [the electricity] was looking for a grounding source. It ultimately ended up in the eave of the building. That, combined with the rain and such, is what caused this fire," Anderson added.
The Martinsville Fire & EMS Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the fire at this time.
ORIGINAL:
MARTINSVILLE – Martinsville firefighters responded to a structure fire around 9:22 PM Saturday night. Sparky's on Starling Avenue was reported to have flames coming from the front of the eaves when firefighters arrived. They were able to contain the fire quickly. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety and the City of Martinsville Police, Public Works and Electric Departments assisted.