The Patrick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a structure fire that occurred July 28 in the town of Stuart, according to Sheriff Dan Smith.
The fire was reported to the 911 dispatch center at 10:13 p.m., and multiple first responders were eventually able to gain control of and subdue the fire, Smith said.
Smith said his office is working with fire investigators to determine the cause, which he called “suspicious in nature.”
The fire started on the outside of Rachel’s Thrift Store, a business located on Rye Cove Street.
Investigators determined that no known ignition sources would have normally been present in the outside location where the fire started, therefore making the origin suspicious.
Both Rachel’s Thrift and True Value Hardware sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. Steve Allen, county emergency management coordinator, said the damage was estimated at $70,000 for the two businesses. The properties are both owned by Stanley Fain.
Departments responding to the fire included Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, Patrick Springs VFD, Moorefield Store VFD, CCDF VFD, and the J.E.B. Stuart Rescue Squad, along with the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of Emergency Management, Allen said.
Approximately 30 firefighters fought the fire and were on the scene until 1 a.m., Allen said.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to call Sheriff Smith at 276-692-7012, or Investigator Brian Hubbard at 286-692-6512.
