Bristol, Virginia Reels from Massive Blaze at Abandoned College Campus

Bristol, Virginia Faces Devastating Fire at Former College Campus

In the early hours of December 20, 2024, a significant fire erupted at the former Virginia Intermont College campus in Bristol, Virginia. The Bristol Virginia Fire Department received the call around 12:19 a.m., and firefighters quickly got to work, responding from all three fire stations in the area. Their efforts called for reinforcements from Bristol, Tennessee, as well as other nearby fire departments.

Firefighters Working Around the Clock

Witnesses reported seeing flames engulfing the main building on campus, visible from both Virginia and Tennessee. Tragically, a part of the structure collapsed shortly after 2 a.m., as crew members battled the blaze. As of 4:30 p.m., Fire Chief Mike Armstrong confirmed that thankfully, no civilian injuries had been reported. However, one firefighter was hospitalized for chest pains but has since been released and is recovering at home.

Firefighters from as far as Kingsport and Gate City joined in the valiant effort to control the inferno, which had quickly spread due to the building’s old construction and materials like paper and books. With roughly a dozen tanker trucks supplying water and five aerial ladder trucks tackling the fire from above, the efforts to contain the blaze were nothing short of heroic.

Fighting the Flames Throughout the Day

As the sun rose, firefighters continued to battle additional flames that had engulfed other buildings on the campus. The blaze could be described as a “full inferno” according to city councilman Neal Osborne, addressing the severity of the situation on social media. “There’s no way around it; this is very bad,” he stated, emphasizing the tragic impact of the fire on the city.

Due to the fire event, the Bristol Virginia Public Schools district decided to close elementary schools for the day and issued a two-hour delay for middle and high school students. Various local roads surrounding the campus were also shut down to allow emergency crews to perform their work safely. Streets including Oakview Ave, MLK Jr. Dr., and Moore St. remained blocked off throughout the response.

Concerns for Safety and Neglect

As the fire continued to rage, Chief Armstrong confirmed that fire crews would not be entering the buildings due to potential safety hazards. Reflecting on a previous fire at the campus library just last month, he expressed that with so many factors at play, the likelihood of anyone being inside was grim. “They are supposed to be vacant. If somebody is in this building right now, they’re probably a fatality,” he said.

Community leaders have long expressed frustrations with the property owners, a Chinese-owned company named U.S. Magis International Education Center, who bought the campus in 2016 after the college closed in 2014 due to financial struggles. City Councilman Osborne voiced concerns over persistent neglect, stating that the owners will “have to answer for this” and stressing the college’s importance to the local community.

Investigation and Future Steps

As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, which is still unknown at this time, local city leaders are strongly considering how to proceed legally with the property owners. Mayor Becky Nave, speaking at the scene, reaffirmed the city’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable for maintaining the historically significant property.

The devastation witnessed during the fire has left a lasting impact on the community, with many residents and city officials coming together to support the firefighters and to discuss next steps moving forward. As fire crews will remain on-site for several days, monitoring for hot spots and ensuring that the flames are fully extinguished, the call for community support and prayers has never been more pertinent.