MONROE COUNTY W.Va. (Hinton News) At approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning, Saturday, Jan. 11, smoke was observed emanating from the windows of the county courthouse. A state employee on the scene quickly alerted local authorities, and firefighters responded immediately. Upon arrival, they discovered a fire between the second and third floors of the courthouse.
Thanks to the quick and heroic efforts of the local fire departments, the courthouse building was ultimately saved, though it did sustain extensive damage. The Commission and other elected officials were present throughout the event, assessing the situation and evaluating the condition of their respective offices.
County Clerk Jeremy Meadows confirmed that no damage was done to the precious records housed in the Upper Record Room, with only slight water damage reported in the downstairs Record Room. Assessor Sarah Martin noted that her office experienced minor water damage, while Sheriff Mike Heller reported similar minor water damage to the Tax Office. Fortunately, no water or fire affected the Law Enforcement section of the courthouse.
Circuit Clerk Daniel Tickle also reported minor water damage to his office. Despite the significant damage to the building, officials are relieved that no records or personnel were lost during the fire.
In response to the damage, the County Commission convened in an emergency session at 6:45 a.m. this morning and voted to declare a County State of Emergency. This declaration will allow the county to bypass the typical bidding process required by law, enabling faster repairs.
County Commission President Melvin Young remarked, “While the courthouse has suffered major damage, it could have been much worse. Thanks to the heroic efforts of our local fire departments and first responders, we were able to prevent further destruction. We encourage the public to stay informed by checking the County Clerk’s Facebook page and website for updates on the status of the courthouse closure.”
The fire is currently under investigation, with the source of the fire still unknown. The Commission extends its sincere gratitude to the local fire departments and first responders for their tireless work in saving this valuable county landmark.
