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24 November 2023
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West Virginia controlled burn goes out of control; takes out five buildings at lumber company, injures firefighter, US
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A planned controlled burn to demolish parts of the Danville Lumber Company got out of control Saturday, 11 November 2023, burning buildings and damaging nearby homes and cars. Firefighters were called to help around 17h30 Saturday night and spent more than 10 hours managing the fire at the facility, which has been purchased by a local church.
“We lost like five buildings down there in the lumber facility itself, including the main office building,” Danville Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tony Nichols said.
All eight Boone County fire departments responded to the scene in addition to Alum Creek, Mud River and Chapmanville.
Danville Danville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Justin Chafin said that the fire was initially a controlled burn that got out of hand. “They were tearing the buildings down to renovate the old office building and use it as their church,” he said. “They had a couple wood piles up and they were going to set those on fire. It was a little bit too big, and the wood was really old. It was really old dried out wood and metal tin that holds a lot of heat also. The fire just got away from them and got into adjacent buildings and then it just started spreading like wildfire.”
The old shop in front of the main building is the only structure on the property left standing with minimal damage.
Surrounding homes saw fire damage from the fire. “I think there were at least three homes that had some damage. It was minor damage. There was no fire damage, it was melted siding and stuff like that. The one home directly behind the office building actually did get some smoke and water damage because the fire at the office was so close to their house. Of course, their house caught on fire too but we were able to put it out before it did much damage to it.”
The fire’s lone reported injury was Danville firefighter Greg Hager. Hager received minor injuries on duty, as he was transferred to a Charleston area hospital for brief treatment before being released.
Chief Chafin said that he wasn’t surprised by the assistance of local departments. “We know that the fire departments are going to show up. We do a lot of good work and work together often.”
Chief Chafin additionally thanked the community for support during the situation, as he said firefighters received multiple acts of generosity. “We really appreciate how the community responds to us. Sometimes we may feel that we get overlooked or whatever else but if there’s a large fire or incident going on we really see how much the community appreciates us. It’s really gratifying to see how they treat us and act towards us. We just want to say thanks,” concluded Chief Chafin.
The Madison Volunteer Fire Department also stated in a Facebook post that West Madison Grocery provided free food and snacks to firefighters from the 11 responding departments after the situation was under control later that night.
Chief Chafin confirmed that the incident is under further investigation by the fire marshal’s office.
Hilltop Chapel Freewill Baptist Church posted a statement on social media following the fire. “As you know, there was a tragic fire last night at our recently purchased and partially remodelled Danville Lumber property,” the post said. “Please pray for us. We don’t have a comment at this time, other than God is still worthy to be praised. Also, please pray for the former owners of the portion we purchased, who also own one of the buildings that were consumed. It was a building full of priceless treasures from their family. This is gut wrenching to them. Also, pray for the couple homes that had some damage. Also, our church and the Danville community sends a heart-felt thank you to all the firefighters who came and risked their life to put out the fire. God bless you,” the church concluded in the social media post.
Sources: Coal Valley News, WSAZ
“We lost like five buildings down there in the lumber facility itself, including the main office building,” Danville Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tony Nichols said.
All eight Boone County fire departments responded to the scene in addition to Alum Creek, Mud River and Chapmanville.
Danville Danville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Justin Chafin said that the fire was initially a controlled burn that got out of hand. “They were tearing the buildings down to renovate the old office building and use it as their church,” he said. “They had a couple wood piles up and they were going to set those on fire. It was a little bit too big, and the wood was really old. It was really old dried out wood and metal tin that holds a lot of heat also. The fire just got away from them and got into adjacent buildings and then it just started spreading like wildfire.”
The old shop in front of the main building is the only structure on the property left standing with minimal damage.
Surrounding homes saw fire damage from the fire. “I think there were at least three homes that had some damage. It was minor damage. There was no fire damage, it was melted siding and stuff like that. The one home directly behind the office building actually did get some smoke and water damage because the fire at the office was so close to their house. Of course, their house caught on fire too but we were able to put it out before it did much damage to it.”
The fire’s lone reported injury was Danville firefighter Greg Hager. Hager received minor injuries on duty, as he was transferred to a Charleston area hospital for brief treatment before being released.
Chief Chafin said that he wasn’t surprised by the assistance of local departments. “We know that the fire departments are going to show up. We do a lot of good work and work together often.”
Chief Chafin additionally thanked the community for support during the situation, as he said firefighters received multiple acts of generosity. “We really appreciate how the community responds to us. Sometimes we may feel that we get overlooked or whatever else but if there’s a large fire or incident going on we really see how much the community appreciates us. It’s really gratifying to see how they treat us and act towards us. We just want to say thanks,” concluded Chief Chafin.
The Madison Volunteer Fire Department also stated in a Facebook post that West Madison Grocery provided free food and snacks to firefighters from the 11 responding departments after the situation was under control later that night.
Chief Chafin confirmed that the incident is under further investigation by the fire marshal’s office.
Hilltop Chapel Freewill Baptist Church posted a statement on social media following the fire. “As you know, there was a tragic fire last night at our recently purchased and partially remodelled Danville Lumber property,” the post said. “Please pray for us. We don’t have a comment at this time, other than God is still worthy to be praised. Also, please pray for the former owners of the portion we purchased, who also own one of the buildings that were consumed. It was a building full of priceless treasures from their family. This is gut wrenching to them. Also, pray for the couple homes that had some damage. Also, our church and the Danville community sends a heart-felt thank you to all the firefighters who came and risked their life to put out the fire. God bless you,” the church concluded in the social media post.
Sources: Coal Valley News, WSAZ
