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.
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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.
