Nearly a year after residents of Cotton Mill Apartments were forced from their homes by a sprinkler system flood, they were displaced again after a kitchen fire triggered the building’s sprinklers.
Patrick County Emergency Management Director Scottie Cassell said an apparent stove fire in a third-floor apartment caused the sprinkler system to go off on Friday, July 17.
“The sprinkler system was activated and flooded the building again,” he said.
A similar incident occurred July 15, 2025.
Cassell said no one was injured in the fire or evacuation.
“One did go to the hospital on his own just to be checked out. He was having some respiratory issues, but everybody was fine,” he said.
Because of the water damage caused by the sprinkler system, residents have been unable to return to their apartments.
“The Red Cross stepped in and put 14 of them up the first night at the Dutch Inn in Collinsville, and some of the others found places on their own. Then Saturday, we had another 18 residents that came up for assistance from the Red Cross, and the Red Cross helped them,” Cassell said.
As with last year’s incident, an emergency shelter was opened, although no one stayed there overnight, Cassell said.
Responding agencies included the Patrick Springs and Stuart volunteer fire departments, JEB Stuart Volunteer Rescue Squad, Smith River Rescue Squad and the Stuart Community Hospital ambulance service.
As of Monday, July 20, Cassell said he did not know when residents would be able to return to the building.
He said the fire marshal and building inspector were scheduled to examine the property July 21, after which residents could potentially be allowed to move back into their apartments.
