MONROE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A fire broke out in the Monroe County Courthouse early Saturday morning, causing extensive damage to the historic building.
Despite the severity of the blaze, no records or personnel were lost.
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At approximately 3:30 a.m. on January 11, smoke was seen coming from the courthouse windows.
A state employee promptly alerted authorities, and firefighters arrived on the scene to find the fire burning between the second and third floors.
Through the swift and heroic efforts of local fire departments, the fire was contained, and the building was saved.
County officials, including the County Commission and other elected leaders, monitored the situation and assessed the damage to their offices throughout the event.
County Clerk Jeremy Meadows assured the public that no damage occurred to critical records stored in the Upper Record Room.
“Only slight water damage was reported in the downstairs Record Room,” Meadows said.
Other offices experienced minor water damage, including the Assessor’s Office, the Tax Office, and the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Sheriff Mike Heller confirmed that the Law Enforcement section of the courthouse was unaffected.
Despite the extensive damage to the building, officials expressed relief that the courthouse’s critical functions remain intact.
Circuit Clerk Daniel Tickle confirmed that his office also suffered only minor water damage.
In response to the fire, the County Commission held an emergency session at 6:45 a.m. and declared a County State of Emergency.
This declaration will allow the county to expedite repairs by bypassing the standard bidding process.
“While the courthouse has suffered major damage, it could have been much worse,” said County Commission President Melvin Young.
“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 cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
