Historic Virginia College Engulfed in Flames, Leaving Community in Shock and Heartbreak

Historic Virginia College Engulfed in Flames

In the quiet town of **Bristol, Virginia**, a sense of disbelief and sorrow blanketed the area early Friday morning as a large fire tore through the remnants of what was once Virginia Intermont College. The blaze erupted around 1 a.m. on the college’s campus, located conveniently on the borders of eastern Tennessee and Virginia. Local officials confirmed that the emergency call was met with shock as the flames quickly spread to multiple buildings, leading to the **collapse of the main hall** shortly after 2 a.m.

A City Councilman’s Heartbreak

Witnessing the destruction was Bristol City Councilman Neal Osborne, who has passionately campaigned for the preservation of the historic college. Osborne took to social media, sharing images and videos of the inferno while reflecting on the heart-wrenching blow to a cherished landmark. “What happened here tonight is a pure tragedy, plain and simple,” he expressed, capturing the collective sentiment of many residents in the area.

Pleas That Went Unheard

For years, Councilman Osborne has been at the forefront, urging action to protect the college from decay. Unfortunately, his numerous attempts to engage the property owners fell on **deaf ears**. “We’ve fined them, levied additional taxes, declared the property blighted, and even sought legal means to secure the campus,” Osborne lamented. The heartbreaking reality is that all these **pleas** went unanswered, leading to a painful conclusion that nobody expected.

The Cause of the Fire Is Unknown

The precise cause of the fire is still a mystery. Just a month prior, another building on the campus, the library, had also gone up in smoke. Many locals, including Osborne, suspect that the recent fires stemmed from the negligence of the campus owners in failing to properly secure the old and dilapidated buildings.

City’s Frustration

Bristol’s Mayor, Becky Nave, also addressed the ongoing struggles faced by the community concerning the ownership of the college. “We are in a bad situation because it is owned by someone who is paying their taxes,” she explained. Although the property owner is fulfilling their tax obligations, the overall state of upkeep remains **far from satisfactory**.

A Bit of History

Virginia Intermont College has a long history dating back to its founding in 1884. The institution transitioned to a mixed-gender school in 1972 and continued to serve students until its **closure in May 2014**. The reasons were largely due to **financial struggles and loss of accreditation**, which ultimately led to the college sitting in silence for over a decade, surrounded by boarded-up windows and a disheartening sense of neglect.

Plans and Delays

In 2016, the campus was reportedly purchased by US Magis International, a Chinese-owned company based in New York. There were ambitious plans to transform the college into a business school, but these plans have stalled due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

A Call for Thoughts and Prayers

As the sun rose over Bristol, the aftermath of the fire left many shaken. “Please keep the firefighters, the citizens of our city, and the alumni and family of Virginia Intermont in your thoughts and prayers,” Osborne urged the community. “This is an incredibly dark day within our city.” The loss feels deeply personal as the memories of laughter, learning, and legacy go up in smoke, leaving behind just memories and the hope that something positive will emerge from this tragedy.