UPDATE: Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Federal investigators have ruled that a Williamsburg massive fire in January was accidental, with no foul play involved
The ATF's National Response Team determined the fire originated in the ceiling area between the ceiling and roof, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Evidence collected from the scene has been sent to a laboratory for further analysis.
The investigation involved extensive witness interviews and discussions with responding firefighters and police officers. Surveillance video evidence also supported the accidental determination, officials reported.
This marks the second National Response Team deployment since March. The specialized team responds to significant fires that overwhelm smaller communities, particularly those involving businesses, apartment buildings, and historical structures. The team previously responded to a historical building fire in Annville.
Investigators had to work through challenging conditions, including two and a half feet of debris and frozen scene conditions. The local community provided substantial support throughout the investigation.
The mayor and other local officials coordinated the community response effort. The investigation has now been completed and wrapped up.
UPDATE: Jan. 23 at 9:35 a.m.
Federal investigators responded to Williamsburg, Kentucky, to determine what caused a massive fire that destroyed multiple apartments and businesses Tuesday night.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives deployed its National Response Team to assist with the investigation at the 200 block of Main Street. The elite team includes veteran special agents with expertise in fire origin-and-cause determinations.
According to a press release, more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, which caused extensive destruction to the structure. No deaths have been reported at this time.
The ATF Lexington Field Office initially sent agents, including a Certified Fire Investigator, to assist state and local investigators. Due to the magnitude and severity of the destruction, federal officials requested additional support from the National Response Team, according to the release.
The specialized unit can deploy anywhere in the United States within 24 hours of notification. Team members are traveling from across the country and are expected to arrive on scene in the coming days.
According to the release, the National Response Team consists of highly trained investigative experts with state-of-the-art equipment who specialize in fire, explosives and bombing investigations. The team includes special agents, certified fire investigators, fire protection engineers, chemists, explosives enforcement officers, certified explosives specialists, special agent bomb technicians and other specialists.
The release states that the team's primary responsibility will be leading the investigation into the fire, including analyzing, processing and documenting the fire scene to determine the origin and cause of the blaze.
Original Story:
Fire crews successfully contained a massive fire that tore through downtown Williamsburg after battling flames for more than 10 hours, officials said.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene after multiple buildings caught fire late Tuesday night in Whitley County. The fire destroyed a row of businesses and apartments on Main Street in downtown Williamsburg.
"When we first got here, I noticed there was heavy smoke. It was bad. We had to get everybody evacuated," Captain Brian Woods of Williamsburg Fire said.
Officials said they received the call before 10 p.m. Tuesday night. During the response, Williamsburg Fire received assistance from agencies in Whitley and surrounding counties.
One person was taken to the hospital, but has since been released.
"I'm just so thankful that they came down and I'm thankful we didn't have a loss of life. That's the main thing," Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said.
Woods said crews worked through the night to extinguish the flames.
"We got it knocked down. It took us nine or 10 hours, we're just up here trying to take care of the hotspots now," Woods said.
The affected buildings housed businesses on the first floor with apartments above. A downtown fire has always been a concern for county leaders due to the age of the structures.
"One of my biggest fears has always been this with downtown as old as our town is as old as the buildings are. You're always kind of concerned with that," Harrison said.
Woods echoed those concerns about the older construction.
"Old buildings, old lumber, dried out you hope that it never catches on fire and if it does, you know, it's going to be bad one," Woods said.
The city is currently assessing the extent of damage to all buildings along the affected stretch of road. The ATF is on the ground investigating, though Harrison said that is standard practice for fires of this magnitude.
Below is a video the sheriff's department posted on their Facebook page:
