The Shadow
An apartment building undergoing renovations at Dolly Ann Apartments sustained heavy damage as a result of a fire Wednesday night.
The Covington Fire Department was called at 7:58 p.m. to the G-Building. When firefighters arrived at 8:02 p.m., the third floor of the building was heavily involved in flame.
Water supply issues hampered the efforts of firefighters, Covington Fire Chief Wes Walker said.
“Due to the prolonged period getting a water supply established for the fire, the fire went into the attic and then it ran throughout the entire building,” Walker said this morning.
Although firefighters used a hydrant water supply, a water tanker shuttle had to be set up to provide an adequate water source to extinguish the blaze.
The building was unoccupied since it was being renovated.
One Iron Gate firefighter was treated for a heat-related illness and was transported, treated and released from Alleghany Regional Hospital.
An apartment complex resident in a neighboring building who suffers from asthma was also transported to the hospital after thick smoke exacerbated her asthma symptoms.
One of the neighboring buildings was evacuated after being threatened by the fire. Residents were permitted to return to their homes at midnight. The adjoining building was not damaged.
While a cause of the fire is unknown at this time, Walker said the blaze apparently started in a third-floor pipe chase located in the bathroom of one of the apartments.
Foul play is not suspected. An insurance company fire investigator will evaluate the scene today, Walker added.
The building is owned by Community Housing Partners of Christiansburg.
Damage to the building is estimated at $375,000.
The fire was brought under control at approximately 10 p.m.
Emergency personnel remained on the scene until 2:30 a.m. today.
Over 90 emergency personnel responded to the fire, Walker said.
Traffic also made the firefighters’ task more difficult.
“That (traffic) was a major issue,” Walker said, “We had enough congestion with all of the onlookers driving up there and the Covington Police Department shut it down.”
The roads remained closed to the public during the emergency. Both city police and deputies from the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office maintained traffic control.
Every fire department in the Alleghany Highlands played a role in extinguishing the fire or standing by in the event of another emergency.
The Covington Fire Department responded with three engines and a ladder truck; the Selma Fire Department responded with three engines; the Dunlap Fire Department responded with two tankers; the Falling Spring Fire Department responded with a tanker, engine and utility vehicle; and tanker trucks from Boiling Springs and Iron Gate responded.
The Clifton Forge Fire Department responded to their firehouse in order to respond to calls in the eastern areas of Alleghany County.
The Sharon Fire Department responded to Covington’s Station One to stand by and respond to emergencies in Covington and western and northern Alleghany County.
“It was a tremendous response from everybody from the county and city … it was just a tremendous response,” Walker said.
The Covington Rescue Squad, Falling Spring Rescue Squad and Dunlap rescue Squad responded with personnel and emergency vehicles.
Ladies auxiliaries from Covington, Falling Spring and Selma provided food and refreshments for firefighters.
Three area restaurants, McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy’s, donated food.
A resident of Dolly Ann Apartments prepared tacos and gave them to firefighters.
