Firefighters from departments across multiple counties teamed up to combat a massive blaze in downtown Williamsburg last Tuesday night into Wednesday morning that has left several businesses in ruins.
“It’s about as bad as it can get, I guess,” said Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison while surveying the damage the morning after the destructive fire. “When you look at the block, and two-thirds of the block is gone… it’s made me sick.”
The general consensus is that the fire likely began somewhere in, or very close to, the Law Offices of Croley and Foley, which is located near the corner of 2nd and Main streets in downtown. Assistant Fire Chief Troy Thomas said the exact point of origin and initial cause of the fire is now under investigation by the ATF. That investigation was supposed to be well underway by this point, but recent severe winter weather has hindered progress.
“An old building like this, it could be a thousand different things,” Thomas said when asked about initial indications of what might have sparked the flames.
Thomas confirmed that there was no loss of life, and only minor injuries to a couple of firefighters – one who apparently injured his foot, and another who may have cut his hand.
Thomas said that he was impressed with the amount of firefighters that came to downtown Williamsburg to assist with the emergency. Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains later offered a comprehensive list of all responding agencies, which included the City of Williamsburg, the City of Corbin, the City of Barbourville, Patterson Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Emlyn Volunteer Fire Department, Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department, South McCreary Volunteer Fire Department, Rockhold Volunteer Fire Department, South Whitley Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel County Fire Department, East Bernstadt Fire Department, Lily Volunteer Fire Department and the London-Laurel Rescue Squad. Rains said that workers with the Whitley County Fiscal Court and the City of Williamsburg were on scene helping with the refeuling of trucks.
“It was amazing,” Thomas said of the response. “I think at one point we had four ladder trucks on the scene. It was a group effort, and I really appreciate their help.”
“I can’t thank enough all of the volunteers, all of the neighboring counties and the agencies that helped us,” Rains added. “It was amazing to see the outpouring of help that came that night. We are blessed in this part of Kentucky that we still have volunteers and agencies that will answer the call to come and assist in a time of need.”
Thomas also commented that this was the worst structure fire that he has ever responded to in his 22 years as a firefighter, simply adding, “It’s sad.”
Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. echoed those sentiments, saying, “I certainly have not seen anything like this in Williamsburg. It is as terrible tragedy, but we are thankful that nobody was seriously injured, and we are thankful for all of the hard work of the first responders and firemen. What a great showing it was of community to see so many departments all turning out to work together and help contain this fire. We’re very thankful for them.”
The fire quickly spread from the area of the law office, eventually consuming several adjoining businesses. Others that were not destroyed sustained severe smoke and/or water damage. A number of upstairs apartment units were also destroyed, but officials confirmed that all occupants were safely removed.
“We’re still assessing right now,” Mayor Harrison said the day after the fire, adding that, until the assessment is complete, Main Street will be shut down in the immediate area of the fire. For now, traffic is being re-routed around the old courthouse to avoid the main downtown area, with a pattern similar to that which is used during the annual Old Fashioned Trading Days Festival. He said that signs will be in place to advise motorists where to go.
Both the old courthouse and the Whitley County Judicial Center were closed the day after the fire as crews continued working to secure the scene and begin cleanup efforts.
On Thursday, Harrison posted a video to social media, clarifying that the ATF is in charge of the ongoing investigation due mainly to the scope of the incident. He estimated the damage to be somewhere in the amount of $10 million at that time.
As for what will happen to what remains of the structures that were affected in downtown, Harrison said a determination has not been made. He said that several people were displaced by the fire, but confirmed that nobody was injured and ensured that efforts were ongoing to help anyone in need obtain supplies and find a place to stay.
“We’re gonna be back,” Harrison stated. “We’re going to come back, and everything will be okay. It’s going to take some time, but we’re going to move forward and be strong.”
