Former Fitts Crumpler building sustains heavy damage in fire

Details: Lance Martin; News; 19 February 2022; 7926

The second floor and the roof of the former Fitts Crumpler building on Roanoke Avenue were destroyed following a morning fire.

Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Jason Patrick said this evening an office which is attached to the rear of the building and is used as a rental office sustained heavy water damage with very little fire damage.

According to information with the Halifax County Tax Department, the building was constructed in 1907.

Muzette Kiger said her grandfather began Fitts Crumpler in 1943. The Fitts family is still using the back part of the building for its F&F Rentals company.

“We’re thankful no one was hurt,” she said at the scene. “We’re thankful for the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department and for the Weldon Fire Department and Davie and the other fire departments coming out to help.”

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At approximately 6:30 this morning firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of Roanoke Avenue after receiving a call of a possible building fire.

Crews found moderate smoke coming from the roof of the building located at 258 Roanoke Avenue.

After gaining access to the building crews encountered zero visibility conditions inside due to thick smoke.

With the aid of the thermal imaging camera they were able to make their way to the stairs leading to the second floor where they were immediately met with very high temperatures. Firefighters battled the fire from inside for roughly an hour before having to back out due to deteriorating conditions with the integrity of the structure.

Firefighters then used aerial ladder trucks to extinguish fire and protect adjacent buildings. Crews remained on scene for roughly seven hours.

As of this report Patrick said no cause of the blaze has been determined.

Numerous firefighters responded to the call. The departments included Davie, Gaston, and Weldon.

Also assisting were Halifax County EMS, Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, Dominion Power, along with the Roanoke Rapids police and public works departments.

Overall, there were roughly 50 personnel on scene to assist from all agencies. “I would like to thank all agencies for their assistance this morning with this incident,” Patrick said.

Gardner Drive fire

Meanwhile, Davie firefighters shortly after 1:30 p.m. responded to a brush fire at 282 Gardner Drive off Airport Road.

Firefighter Alex Wood said when Engine 23 arrived firefighters observed a column of thick smoke and the underpinning of a mobile home on fire.

Wood said firefighters contained the fire under the trailer. He said the fire did not breach the living area of the mobile home.

After containing the trailer fire firefighters then focused efforts on brush fire suppression. A fence which bordered Radar Circle was damaged.

Firefighters cleared the scene around 3:15 p.m.

There were 12 firefighters from Davie who responded and the department received assistance from the North Carolina Forest Service and the Rheasville and Littleton fire departments.

TAGS: halifaxcountynews, roanokerapidsnews, roanokerapidsfiredepartment, fittscrumpler

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