Stations

Mold Concerns Abruptly Shut Down VA Fire Station

April 19, 2020

Walnut Hill 's Station No. 4 in Petersburg was closed because of mold issues in the facility last week, but firefighters weren't told of those concerns before the closing.

By Jeff Milby and Kristi K. Higgins

Source The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Va.

Walnut Hill, VA, firefighters needed to move out of Station 4 last week over mold concerns.

The Walnut Hill fire station on Sycamore Street in Petersburg, Station No. 4, was abruptly shut down last week due to mold concerns in the building, though firefighters there were not made aware of those concerns prior to closing, according to reports.

Firefighters were told to remove items, supplies and equipment from the station on Saturday. The station was closed earlier this month due to concerns over mold in the building, according to a statement on the Petersburg Professional Fire Fighters Association Facebook page. The statement says that firefighters and equipment working from the station have been reassigned to other firehouses. WTVR-6 TV reported that the station closed initially on April 9.

WRIC-TV 8 in Richmond reported, "City officials said the station had a number of issues and is closing down for financial reasons."

The closing of the station leaves Petersburg Fire with three other active stations. There is also one training facility, one administration building and a support building still active in the department.

The Walnut Hill fire station building was erected in November 1945 and is the oldest of Petersburg's four fire stations. It is ten years older than the next oldest station. It previously has dealt with mold concerns, according to reports.

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