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Four different agencies responded Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 26, to a fire in Newsoms that occurred in an abandoned structure at the intersection of Freeman Street and Thomaston Road.

Later that afternoon, Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department President Clayton Gaskins said the department received the call about the fire at 1:03 p.m. and was in command of the scene.

“There are no reported injuries,” he said. “At this time it is unknown how the fire started and is under investigation.”

Southampton County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Camden Cobb shared how SCSO learned of the fire.

“It was called in 28000 block of Freeman Street,” he said. “That abandoned building on fire, ‘out of control’ was the comment given to our dispatchers.”

Gaskins noted that a request was made for a fire marshal and deputy due to the statewide burn ban that is in effect from Feb. 15 to April 30.

Agencies that responded to the scene included NVFD, Boykins Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Courtland Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) and Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD).

Wednesday evening, NVFD Assistant Chief Jonathan Hinson provided a news release on the fire and the response to it.

The release stated that at 1:02 p.m. earlier that day, NVFD along with Boykins Volunteer Fire and Rescue were dispatched, and the first unit arrived on scene to find heavy fire from an abandoned structure. CVFD and HVFD were dispatched for additional assistance. 

Due to the heavy fire and compromised structural integrity, crews fought the fire from the outside, the release noted.

“The building eventually collapsed from the fire,” NVFD officials stated in the release. “Due to the possibility of additional collapse and safety concerns, crews were not able to completely extinguish the fire.”

The release stated that the remaining portions of the building would continue to smoke for the next 12-24 hours. 

“Crews will continue to monitor the fire, but there is no threat of further fire spread,” NVFD officials stated in the release.

Freeman Street was closed to all traffic in the area of the fire until further notice, the release noted. 

Gaskins stated Tuesday morning, March 4, that Freeman Street was reopened on Saturday, March 1.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation by Virginia State Police,” NVFD officials stated in the Feb. 26 release. “There were no injuries reported, and the structure is a complete loss.”

In an update provided Tuesday morning, March 4, VSP Sgt. Michelle Anaya said, “This is still an active and ongoing investigation at this time. There is nothing to add at this time.”