Beach firefighters challenged in stopping fire near Town Center

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Firefighters battle a blaze in the old FX building in the 4800 block of Virginia Beach Blvd. on Monday. (User-submitted photo by Sean Segerblom)

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By Duane Bourne
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 10, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

Firefighters working a stubborn factory fire near Town Center experienced tense moments Monday when a door collapsed, and they were forced to evacuate from the building.

No serious injuries were reported during the more-than-three-alarm blaze at Allied Technology Group Inc. Officials said two people were treated for minor injuries, including a firefighter who complained of smoke inhalation and later returned to duty.

Battalion Chief Dave Hutcheson, a Virginia Beach Fire Department spokesman, said the fire started at 11:30 a.m. when a light fixture at the factory in the 4800 block of Columbus St. caught fire and fell from the ceiling onto pallets near computers.

Allied employees tried to douse the spreading flames but realized they could not and called the fire department for help.

Within 30 to 35 minutes of the emergency call, firefighters thought the main body of the fire was knocked down. However, thick billowing smoke and deteriorating conditions inside prevented them from seeing that the fire had moved into the factory’s rack system and ignited the roof.

When the doors collapsed and officials ordered personnel out of the building, several firefighters working inside were forced to find another exit, Hutcheson said.

“Trust me,” he said, “it got all of our attention. They were not trapped, but we had a moment there.”

Norfolk and Chesapeake fire departments assisted the Beach force with fighting the fire. It was one of the largest since a blaze destroyed Lynnhaven Marine-Boatel in September 1999, Hutcheson said.

By the afternoon, firefighters toiled to contain the fire to the Allied warehouse, so it would not affect the adjoining bingo hall and Bill’s Flea Market. At 5:30 p.m., the fire was reported as “under control,” although a haze of gray smoke from burning cardboard wafted through the area.

Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com

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Allied Technology

Submitted by Tarfu on Tue, 03/11/2008 at 10:19 am.

The fire started in ATG's warehouse and spread to Bills' Flea Market. While I agree with the comments about Bills, they are innocent victims here. The sad part is that I was told that ATG's building had passed their fire inspection about 2 weeks ago.

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Ahhh

Submitted by Ethan on Mon, 03/10/2008 at 11:38 pm.

OH, this is the company behind F/X. A friend growing up... his dad was an executive for them. I hope they do okay (they are a gov't contractor). The front side (flea market) rents spaces to people, and it has caught on fire before. When I posted the comic book comment below, the story just said Bills Flea Market.

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First Bill's Flea Market

Submitted by ScoutFinch on Mon, 03/10/2008 at 9:55 pm.

First Bill's Flea Market (which I have to agree was a dump!) and now ATG... I know quite a few people that work there. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured during the blazes today! Hopefully these people will be able to return to work to earn their much needed paychecks.
Has anyone else noticed the amount of fires that Hampton Roads has had within the past few weeks?

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I'm watching it burn

Submitted by PapaBooey on Mon, 03/10/2008 at 5:49 pm.

Even now, it's still burning or smoldering. I'm down the boulevard from it. I miss the head shop that was there some years ago. Asides from that, its been in need of extreme TLC for many years. Sad development...

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Fire Hazard

Submitted by mimes on Mon, 03/10/2008 at 4:21 pm.

This place has been an accident waiting to happen for years.All you have to do is look around and you will see that management does not care about the safety of the customers or the people that have rented spaces there.I myself have witnessed spaces that are full of old clothes piled on the floors with lamps hanging upside down from a slat of lattice in the ceiling.On top of that, the light is connected to an extension cord that runs thru out the flea market.
It seems to me that the management doesnot have much regard for the safety of the tenants or customers.I think that something should be done about this flea market before someone gets hurt in there.One would think that they might try to get some of the trash and broken glass cleaned up.Also, hire some people that are a little bit more professional to keep the areas clean and the inside maintained. It just seems to alot of people, that they don't care what it looks like inside or out.
Hopefully, this will open eyes and maybe someone will either make them clean it up or close it down.
Thank God noone was seriously hurt in todays fire.

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