The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

Related Photos

  • Beckley firefighters approach a burning building at the intersection of Heber and Main streets in downtown Beckley Monday evening. Officials reported no injuries, but least three structures were damaged or destroyed in the blaze that was reported shortly after 5 p.m Chris Tilley

    Fire2

  • Firefighters aim their high-pressure streams through the front window of one of the buildings ablaze early in the fire on Heber Street in Beckley Monday evening. Chris Tilley

    fire 1

  • The storefront of one of the buildings collapses after the interior was gutted. Firefighters had pulled back before it fell and no one was injured. Chris Tilley

    Fire3

  • Fire hoses snake through the streets as firefighters battle the blaze in Uptown Beckley Monday evening. Chris Tilley

    Fire4
January 3, 2012

Major fire destroys downtown Beckley buildings

By Kara Van Pelt Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — Crowds of bystanders stood in bitterly cold temperatures Monday evening as smoke hung thick in the air and an orange glow radiated from Uptown Beckley. Crews from multiple fire departments responded to a massive fire that consumed three buildings on the corner of Neville and South Heber streets, across from the new Raleigh County Judicial Annex.

The buildings, home to two businesses, Trio Consignment and Kopy Xpress, were destroyed and still burning late Monday night.

The third building formerly housed The Blue ‘Roo and is owned by the city.

Beckley Fire Department was on scene with seven trucks just minutes after a call reporting smoke coming from the back of one of the structures was received at the 911 Center shortly after 5 p.m. Beckley Police cordoned off the area to allow crews to battle the blaze from all sides.

Crews from Beaver and Lester fire departments as part of the city’s mutual aid protection agreement and Mountaineer Gas and The Salvation Army were on-scene, according to Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh.

The fire, which Beckley Fire Chief Kevin Taylor said originated in the center building, quickly spread engulfing all three structures.

Firefighters tried to make an offensive attack by gaining entrance to the building, but low visibility and heavy smoke forced them back out, Taylor said. The fire quickly spread to the basements and rooftops of the buildings as well, leaving crews fighting the flames defensively from outside.

After discovering the buildings were a complete loss, crews shifted their focus to containing the existing blaze and protecting neighboring buildings that housed businesses as well as apartments.

Buildings in close proximity were evacuated, Taylor said.

“Our No. 1 goal is to fully extinguish the fire, deal with the debris and then begin our investigation into what caused the fire. As of right now, it appears to be accidental, but it’s too early to tell,” Taylor lamented.

“This was such a heavy fire load, we are  not going to be able to put it all out. It will have to burn itself out and a multi-story building like this can burn for hours so now all we can do at this point is protect the surrounding areas and keep the fire contained,” Taylor said.

Not only did the fire present a problem for firefighters, the cold weather did, as well.

“We already experienced numerous problems since beginning the battle. A fire hydrant we needed to use was frozen solid and all the connections on our hoses that we would normally use to break away or expand are totally frozen,” Taylor said.

The chief said he was thankful no injuries were reported while Pugh expressed his appreciation for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to fight the blaze.

“Our thoughts and prayers are always with our firefighters when they do their jobs in these dangerous situations,” said Pugh.

Beckley Fire Department will lead the investigation into the cause of the fire.

Register-Herald Copy Editor Bill Lucas contributed to this article.

— E-mail: kvanpelt@register-herald.com

Text Only
Today's Front Page
  • FvilleVigil1 Fayetteville candlelight vigil

    Community members and local chuch leaders gathered Sunday evening for a Memorial Day candlelight vigil at Huse Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fayetteville.

    May 28, 2012 2 Photos

  • 52nd season for Outdoor Dramas to begin June 12

    Theatre West Virginia’s 52nd season will be “Where Legends Live,” focusing on bringing to life West Virginia’s history and local legends.

    May 28, 2012

  • W.Va. political leaders honor nation’s veterans

    From snow-laden Valley Forge to the battered walls of the Alamo, on the blood-stained beaches of the French coastline, in the frigid mountains of Korea and the steamy jungles of Vietnam, and the blistering sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, there is one constant: American heroism.

    May 28, 2012

  • Bodies believed to be missing family found in woods

    Four bodies recovered from a wooded area in Nicholas County near Carl, off Brushy Meadow Creek Road, Saturday are believed to be a missing family from Rainelle, reported First Sgt. Michael Baylous, public information officer for the West Virginia State Police.

    May 27, 2012

  • founder1 Founder’s Day celebrates city’s history

    Coordinators were pleased with the number of people who attended the fourth annual Founder’s Day at Beckley’s founding father’s estate, now the Wildwood Museum.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • auction NIE Auction and Flea Market coming Saturday

    With more than 200 items to be auctioned off and more than 100 flea market vendors, no one will have to go home empty-handed at Saturday’s 17th annual Newspapers in Education Auction.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • wvsom WVSOM holds 35th commencement

    More than 170 freshly minted physicians walked across the stage Saturday morning during the 35th annual commencement ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • Beckley’s Founder’s Day a success

    Coordinators were pleased with the number of people who attended the fourth annual Founder’s Day at Beckley’s founding father’s estate, now the Wildwood Museum.

    May 26, 2012

  • WVSOM has 35th annual commencement ceremony

    More than 170 freshly minted physicians walked across the stage Saturday morning during the 35th annual commencement ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

    May 26, 2012

  • school A fun day at school

    Students who participated in a school fundraiser at Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary School sprayed their principal Becky Smith during a hot Friday. Smith was decked out in flippers, goggles and floaties during the fun. Smith paraded past students as they drenched her with water guns.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo