After Several Hours, Main Street Structure Fire along City's Downtown Corridor Brought Under Control
By Jeff Toquinto on March 23, 2025
After several hours, a fire that struck one of Bridgeport’s older structures along Main Street has been extinguished, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Pigg said.
The call came into Harrison-Taylor 911 at 2:18 p.m. It was listed as a “fire alarm” on the media log.
The building in question is just up from the Benedum Civic Center and near Cooper Law Offices, PLLC. The building is utilized by Leeson’s Import Motors, which has its main building less than 100 yards away. It is essentially a storage facility for the business.
“There was no one injured and there was no one in the building,” said Pigg. “All firefighters are fine.”
Pigg said the call went out for an automatic fire alarm, but once Bridgeport personnel, which has its main station two blocks away, got there they knew it was much more.
“There was fire coming out the first and second floor windows on the side facing the railroad tracks,” said Pigg. “We had a crew force their way into the back and once they got to an area of the second floor a hole had already burned through the floor so they couldn’t access the 
second floor that way but did find a different way.”
second floor that way but did find a different way.”
Crews also encountered heavy fire and heat when making their way into the front door of the building. However, once inside, progress was made.
“Once inside, we got a good stop on it,” said Pigg.
As for damage to the building, Pigg said he could not determine if it was a loss or still salvageable. He said that it will be determined. As for the items stored on the first floor, however, the verdict is in on that.
“For the most part, all of the contents on the first floor are a total loss,” said Pigg. “As for the second floor, with the exception of the back corner where there
are some photos showing fire coming out, the contents are not destroyed. They will have a smoke smell, but the items were not destroyed outside of that corner on the second floor.”
are some photos showing fire coming out, the contents are not destroyed. They will have a smoke smell, but the items were not destroyed outside of that corner on the second floor.”
Pigg said the cause of the fire is unknown. He said the Bridgeport Fire Department has started an investigation in-house, but the department has contacted the West Virginia Fire Marshals Office.
“There are no residents displaced because of this. The apartment next to it is also good to allow the residents back in with no problems,” said Pigg. “No other buildings were impacted.”
Pigg had words of praise for the crews on hand.
“Our guys from Bridgeport were on the scene quickly and that plays a huge part in being very aggressive with a fire attack,” he said. “Add to that the always prominent job mutual aid does, and we were able to get things under control.”
The fire did result in a portion of Main Street being closed between Center Street and Virginia Avenue. It reopened shortly after 6 p.m.
The sidewalk in the area, which is 228 West Main Street, is closed.
The fire led to a full presence of first responders from Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Shinnston, Spelter, and Nutter Fort. The Bridgeport Police Department was also on the scene.
Bridgeport City Manager Patrick Ford wanted to dispel any rumors regarding the Bridgeport Fire Department not being fully staffed due to a call in Flemington just prior the fire on Main Street, as well as to praise mutual aid.
“Our firefighters were dispatched for Flemington but never left because of the fire on Main Street. All our firefighters, including both ladder trucks, were on Main Street in Bridgeport to fight the fire. We had assists from Clarksburg, Shinnston, Nutter Fort, Spelter, Stonewood and Boothsville. Philippi and Nutter Fort were on hand to respond to an accident on Johnson Avenue because all our resources were on Main Street. Thanks to mutual aid, Clarksburg sent six firemen, and the other responders sent resources as well. Clarksburg also sent their ladder truck. Excellent teamwork on behalf of the firefighters and a big shout out to all of our firemen who were on the scene.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the Bridgeport Fire Department setting up for attack. Second photo is courtesy of a screen shot from video provided by Donna Starkey. Third photo is courtesy of Patty Wells Fourth image shows fire personnel getting ready to enter the building, while the fifth photo is a look at how the building looks after the first was finally put out. Bottom photo is courtesy of the City of Bridgeport.
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