MARTINSVILLE, VA
At 1:53 a.m. on November 26, Martinsville Fire & EMS was dispatched to a structure fire at 214 Fayette Street.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the building heavily engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to an adjacent structure.
Officers from the Martinsville Police Department, who were already on the scene, confirmed that there was one occupant inside the original structure.
Fire crews initiated an attack on the blaze and located the victim, who was later determined to be deceased.
Once the body was removed, firefighters continued efforts to extinguish the fire, which was declared under control at 6:10 a.m. Crews remained on the scene until 7:14 a.m. to fully extinguish the flames.
The victim's identity has not been released, pending identification, and their body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The fire destroyed the original structure, and significant damage was done to the attic of the neighboring building.
A nearby church to the left of the fire building sustained exterior heat damage and light smoke infiltration.
Preliminary damage estimates are $70,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Henry County Department of Public Safety, Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department assisted firefighters.
In addition, several City departments, including Public Works, Electric, and Police, as well as Southwest Virginia Gas, helped manage the scene and control utilities.
Martinsville Fire & EMS is reminding residents that free smoke detector installation is available.
City of Martinsville residents can call 1-276-403-5325, and Henry County residents can contact the Henry County Department of Public Safety at 1-276-634-4660.
The Martinsville Fire Department also advises citizens to exercise caution with electric heaters and to ensure Christmas lights and decorations are properly wired to avoid potential hazards.
For additional information, residents may contact Martinsville Fire & EMS at 1-276-403-5325.
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