At 1:41 a.m. on July 9, 2010 units were dispatched to a report of smoke in the area of S. Main St. in Lexington.
Upon response, there were additional reports of smoke coming from a structure. Units from Lexington Police arrived and reported a structure fire at the Southern Inn Restaurant.
Engine 107, which was transferred to Company 9 while crews were working another structure fire, reported heavy smoke showing from the building.
Initial crews stretched an attack line through side Alpha and Charlie and got an initial knock on the seat of the fire.
The fire had also spread to the second floor. However, crews were hampered for initial access due to the stairs being burned out. Additional units arrived and worked for approximately 30 minutes to control the fire. However, it had grown beyond control and units were pulled out to go into a defensive mode.
Truck 9, Truck 2 and Ladder 10 utilized elevated master streams to bring the fire under control. Crews then went into overhaul operations and checked the Bravo and Delta exposures for extension. Minor fire extensions were noted in the Bravo exposure and only smoke extension in the Delta exposure. There was a partial collapse of the second floor and the roof of the primary structure.
No injuries were reported.
The fire is being investigated by the Virginia State Police due to the amount of damage and the fact that the building is a local historic icon dating back to before the 1820’s.
Units operating on scene were Medic Engine 9, Rescue Engine 92, Engine 93, Truck 9, Utility 9, Engine 1, Engine 107, Engine 127, Engine 71, Pumper 6, Attack 1, Wagon 4, Truck 2, Ladder 10, Tanker 6, Utility 6, Utility 2, Response 73, Truck 106, Chief 9, Rescue 17, Rescue 18, Rescue 21, MED 1-2, Medic 15, and RS-1 (EMS Supervisor).
Transfer and Fill-In units were provided by Buchanan Fire Dept, Stuarts Draft Fire, Sharon Fire Dept, Fairfield Rescue, Buena Vista Rescue and Peddler Fire-Rescue.
