On Saturday, March 29, 2003, the Williamsburg Fire Department held a permitted training burn. Area fire departments participated in ladder, ventilation, exposure protection, and overhaul exercises. Local departments included; Northampton, Worthington and Chesterfield.
Once ignited, fire spread rapidly through the first and second floors. Twenty minutes into the blaze partial roof collapse was reported, followed ten minutes later by the C and D walls. The two-story, wood frame construction home was burned to the ground in less than an hour.
In previous weeks following up to the event, area departments were invited to train in the abandoned home. Williamsburg and Hatfield drilled interior attack, search and rescue, self rescue, and overhaul.
