Overnight fire reported at Randy’s Do It Best Hardware in Mt. Jackson

SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Fire crews in Shenandoah County responded to a large fire around 2:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Randy’s Do It Best Hardware Store in Mount Jackson.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw a large amount of smoke showing. Assistant Fire Marshal Joe Loving, with Shenandoah County Fire and Rescue, said fire screws went in, but it was too dangerous to stay due to the large flames and the hazardous materials, like chemicals and paint, inside the hardware store.

Loving said some nearby residents were asked to evacuate because of heavy smoke conditions but were later able to return to their houses. Crews tested air and water quality and determined the area was safe, Loving said.

According to Shenandoah County Fire and Rescue, the hardware store is a total loss. Loving said the building is estimated to be worth $700,000. He said the loss of the building and inventory is between $2 million and $2.5 million.

Loving said the building was not occupied at the time of the fire. He believes one firefighter was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation as a precaution, but no other injuries were reported.

Fire crews were able to keep the fire from spreading, but there was some damage to the exterior of the adjacent building.

Fire crews from across Shenandoah County showed up to fight the flames, including crews from Rockingham County, Page County, and Harrisonburg.

Loving sends his thanks to the Mount Jackson Sheetz and Burger King, who brought food and drinks to firefighters working hard in the cold and dark conditions Saturday morning.