MONROE COUNTY, W.VA.- Smoke was seen coming from the county courthouse’s windows around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11. A state employee on the scene quickly notified local authorities, and firefighters responded right away. Upon arrival, they discovered a fire between the courthouse’s second and third floors.
The courthouse building was eventually saved thanks to the quick and heroic efforts of the local fire departments, despite having sustained extensive damage. The Commission and other elected officials were present throughout the event to assess the situation and evaluate the state of their respective offices.
County Clerk Jeremy Meadows confirmed that there was no damage to the valuable records housed in the Upper Record Room, with only minor water damage reported in the downstairs Record Room.
Assessor Sarah Martin stated that her office had minor water damage, and Sheriff Mike Heller reported similar minor water damage to the Tax Office. Fortunately, neither water nor fire affected the courthouse’s Law Enforcement section.
Circuit Clerk Daniel Tickle also reported minor water damage in his office. Despite the extensive damage to the building, officials are relieved that no records or personnel were lost in the fire.
In response to the damage, the County Commission held an emergency session at 6:45 a.m. today and voted to declare a County State of Emergency. This declaration will allow the county to bypass the typical bidding process mandated by law, allowing for faster repairs.
County Commission President Melvin Young stated, “While the courthouse has sustained significant damage, the situation could have been much worse.
We were able to avoid further destruction thanks to the heroic efforts of our local fire departments and first responders. We encourage the public to stay informed by visiting the County Clerk’s Facebook page and website for updates on the courthouse closure.
The fire is currently being investigated, and the source is unknown. The Commission expresses heartfelt gratitude to the local fire departments and first responders for their tireless efforts in preserving this important county landmark.
