ASHLAND, Va. — Hanover County Fire-EMS released new information Friday afternoon regarding the cause of a fire that caused "significant damage" to the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad building along Duncan Street on Thursday night.
"The fire originated in the engine compartment of one of the ambulances housed in the station’s apparatus bays," according to the Hanover County Office of the Fire Marshal. "Further investigation has determined that the fire was accidental, caused by a failure in the area of the vehicle’s battery system."
Hanover County Fire-EMS said volunteers will continue to serve the community from Ashland Fire Station 1 while repairs are made at Station 16.
Hanover Fire and EMS Public Information Officer John Cundiff said a passerby spotted one of the ambulances inside the apparatus bay on fire and called 911 just after 10 p.m. Thursday.
"Within three minutes, the first arriving engine showed up and confirmed we had three ambulances on fire within the building. They immediately went into fire attack mode and were able to mark the situation under control within 45 minutes," Cundiff said.
Large plastic tarps cover the front of the apparatus bays where the garage doors used to be while building materials are strewn across the sidewalk.
There is also extensive charring on the outside of the squad, with caution tape posted across the apparatus bay.
In addition to ambulances, Cundiff said the building also houses quick response vehicles, transport units, and ATVs that the squad deploys for special events in town.
The operational side of the building, which includes bedding and offices, appeared not to be damaged. No one was inside the squad at the time of the fire.
"The fire wall did do its job and kept the majority of the fire within the apparatus bays. The majority is salvageable, which is important. But our people’s safety is key, and nobody was injured and everyone is safe," Cundiff stated.
Cundiff stressed that Hanover Fire and EMS has crews on standby in case there is an emergency that requires a rescue squad in Ashland.
"We do have units that were a complete loss inside the building. But we want to make sure the citizens know we have already deployed other assets in the county so service delivery to our Ashland residents is not going to be impacted by this fire," he said.
No injuries were reported.
This is a developing story. Email tips and photos to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
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