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Botetourt officials outline cause and recovery after Sept. 26 Troutville fire; EMS training, equipment funding approved
Summary
Officials told the board the Troutville Fire Training Center fire likely began from electrical arcing in conduit above combustible training props; the county described insurance steps, backup 911 relocation and approved $30,000 to buy a used UTV outfitted for patient transport.
Chief Alan Ferguson briefed the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors on the Sept. 26 fire at the Troutville Fire Training Center, saying investigators and multiple fire-marshal offices concluded the most likely origin was electrical arcing inside conduit above combustible training props.
“On Friday morning, September 26th, there was a fire about 5:14 a.m. that was recognized in the Troutville Fire Training Center,” Chief Ferguson said, describing heavy smoke on arrival and extensive fire load from training props made of OSB and particle board. He told the board the arcing likely breached metal conduit and produced sparks that ignited nearby combustibles.
Why it matters: the training center housed classroom and training props used by volunteer and career firefighters across the county. The county said damage included structural collapse, destroyed training mannequins and damaged electronic equipment; some breathing apparatus and turnout gear will be professionally cleaned and recertified, while many electronic items will be replaced per insurer guidance.
County response and recovery: Ferguson said the county immediately relocated backup 911 and dispatch capabilities and that those systems were operational in the alternate facility within hours. He said the county engaged regional fire investigators (Roanoke City, Salem and Roanoke County) to support origin-and-cause work and contracted structural engineers for damage assessment. He said the insurance carrier issued an initial contents check of $50,000 and expected the claim to be well over that amount.
Training continuity: Ferguson said volunteer and other training programs have continued at alternate county facilities and in some cases at neighboring jurisdictions that offered their training centers. Engineers and a third party are cataloguing equipment losses; certain items—like breathing-air compressors and some protective clothing—are being evaluated for salvage and recertification.
Equipment funding approved: In a separate agenda item, the board approved a $30,000 draw from the capital reserve to buy a lightly used UTV and trailer from the Western Virginia EMS Council to serve as a patient-transport UTV. Ferguson said the package would cost about $65,000 new and that the county had $30,000 available in capital reserves; the board approved the purchase.
What’s next: staff said the county will continue insurance and subrogation work, complete structural analyses, and plan training sites and equipment replacements. The board was told that some recovery steps—such as full replacement of electronic and training items—will proceed as insurance and forensic investigations conclude.
