Fire departments from Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia responded to the 3-alarm fire that swept through multiple buildings and businesses on High St. in historic Harpers Ferry on Thursday.

Firefighters received the tones around 3 a.m. on Thursday morning and arrived to find heavy fire and smoke coming from the historic buildings.  Fire apparatus from multiple departments and counties including Loudoun, Frederick, Washington, and Jefferson crowded the narrow High St, and along the back side of the buildings on Potomac St.

Firefighters were still attacking fire hidden in the roof areas by 8 a.m. and worked throughout the day to knock down hot spots and perform overhaul.  Relief and 3rd alarm units started to be released around 12 noon.  With temps in the 80s, firefighters rehabbed and kept hydrated thanks to donations of water and coffee from the local community.

My friend Kelly Lowery, a lieutenant at the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company in Jefferson, MD submitted photos from the early hours of the fire attack. I arrived about 9 a.m. to get hot spot and overhaul work.

There is a pre-arrival video from a community member posted on Dave Statter’s Web site

More of my photos will be posted to my Flickr account later this weekend.

Best-

Trevor James

Kelly Lowery photo

Kelly Lowery photo

Kelly Lowery photo

Kelly Lowery photo

Kelly Lowery photo

Trevor James photo

Trevor James photo

Trevor James photo

Trevor James photo

Trevor James photo