Downtown Warrenton Scorched by Fire

A fire in downtown Warrenton Thursday morning destroyed two structures and also damaged the Warrenton fire station.

When firefighters arrived shortly after 5 a.m., they were able to safely get a pair of fire trucks out of the station to fight the blaze, which started just feet away and had spread to the attic of the fire station.

“The trucks were hot, but we used ‘em,” said Round Top-Warrenton assistant fire chief Calvin Krause, who added there appeared to be no damage to the trucks.

Firefighters and trucks from Round Top-Warrenton, Fayetteville, and Carmine all arrived to fight the fire.

The fire was just steps away from the historic, wooden, Zapp Hall in downtown Warrenton. It was undamaged.

Krause said the cause of the fire was still “undetermined.”

The buildings that were destroyed were used by vendors from the annual antiques shows in the area. Just two weeks ago, thousands of people descended on the area for the annual spring show.

Krause said he thinks the fire station can be saved, but will need extensive repair work. The fire also did minor damage to the exterior of the Warrenton Grocery Store building.

Late Thursday morning firefighters were still on the scene dousing hot spots.