Cigarette butts sparked large fire in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Officials have released the cause of the huge late June fire in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom. The blaze left multiple people without a home, disrupted several businesses and injured two firefighters.
On Wednesday, June 25, crews with the Richmond Fire Department were called to a mixed-use building at 1700 E. Main Street for report of a structure fire. Firefighters then spent hours battling the flames.
Three residents and three businesses were impacted by the fire. The displaced residents included a newlywed couple that had just moved in, while the damaged businesses included a cookie shop called OMG OCPs and a restaurant called the Daily Menu.
Two firefighters were hurt while responding to the fire. They experienced heat exhaustion due to high temperatures that day.
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
Large fire near 1700 E. Main Street on June 25. (Photo: Anonymous viewer)
On Wednesday, July 2, a city spokesperson told 8News that the fire had been ruled accidental in nature.
It was sparked by cigarette butts thrown into a flowerpot on the back deck of the building's apartments, above the Daily Menu.
No charges will be filed.
