UPDATED: Officials investigating cause of blaze that damaged downtown Williamsburg building

Williamsburg firefighters are still unsure exactly what caused an early morning blaze Monday that seriously damaged one local business and caused significant damaged to one of the oldest buildings in town, which probably would have gone up in flames had it burned unchecked for just minutes longer.

"It’s about as lucky a call as we’ve had in the 32 years I have been here. In 10 more minutes, everything in here would have been gone," noted Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley called 911 about 12:49 a.m. to report the fire at the Williamsburg Flower Shop. It is located in the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge Building, which was built in 1916, according to a plaque on the exterior of the building.

Croley had been out on a coroner’s call and was leaving Croley Funeral Home, which is located next door to the flower shop, when he noticed the blaze. Only a narrow nearly three-foot wide alley separates the two buildings.

"I was just getting in my car and heard some cracking and popping and smelled some smoke," Croley said.

At that point Croley got back out of the car and stood in his parking lot looking over his building.

"It looked like my building was the one that was on fire. I just saw what looked like bluish white amber glowing. Then I came to the front. When I got to the ally that’s when some electrical lines or something popped real big and the whole side of the wall flamed over. Then I called 911," Croley said.

Croley said he isn’t sure how long the fire would have burned before being discovered if he hadn’t noticed it.

When firefighters arrived, they entered the flower shop through the second street entrance and discovered two rooms engulfed in flames with fire burning up the walls.

"It actually charred the carpet and all that in the Masonic Lodge, which is located over the top of the flower shop," Privett said. "Very heavy smoke traveled through every building on the block. Everyone of them will have smoke damage but the flower shop had the most critical damage."

Privett estimates that it took about 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

"The whole complete building top and all was covered in smoke," Privett said.

About 30 firefighters from four fire departments responded to the blaze.

"We can really count our blessings on this one. Everybody did a good job. I would commend them in any way I can. All the departments that were here did a great job," Privett added.

Williamsburg Flower Shop Owner Greg Prewitt said that the flower shop had been at the Main Street location since it opened in 1977. Prewitt has owned the business since 2002.

He admits that it was difficult seeing the damage.

"It’s almost like a part of you. There is a little bit of emotion. You are tied to the location and you know how much work is ahead of you. It is a great loss," Prewitt said.

Prewitt said that it is fortunate no one was injured and the building was saved.

"It has a lot of history the building does. It could have been a lot worse. It wasn’t what we wanted, but it could have been a lot worse," Prewitt added.

Prewitt said that if Croley hadn’t noticed the blaze then the whole block might have gone up and possibly even the funeral home.
The Williamsburg Flower Shop reopened Tuesday at its temporary location on Second Street next door to the News Journal in the old Key Insurance office, which is located across the street from Croley Funeral Home.

"We hope to get back on our feet shortly. It is just going to be a lot of work," Prewitt said.

The Kentucky Fire Marshall’s Office sent an investigator down later Monday morning to help determine the cause of the blaze, but as of Monday afternoon no official cause had been determined, Privett said.

Privett said that he appreciates the assistance of several other fire departments in helping extinguish the blaze.

Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department brought down its cascade system to refill air tanks for firefighters.

Rockhold and Emlyn volunteer fire departments provided additional manpower.

The Corbin Fire Department responded with its ladder truck.

"We really appreciate them going out of there way and coming to us," Privett said.

Ladder truck needed

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said Monday’s fire illustrates a need that his town has known about for quite some time, which is a ladder truck for the fire department.

"We have been trying. They are just so expensive," Harrison said.

Harrison said there are three places in town that always come to mind when officials start discussing the need for a ladder truck, including the downtown area, Firestone and the University of the Cumberlands.

"It has kind of renewed this want to try and figure out how we are going be able to do that," Harrison said. "Lucky, they got the fire knocked out. Corbin came down with their ladder truck. They were here fast, but it just shows this is something our fire department needs. I want to say thank you to the Corbin Fire Department."