Shed at PVCC Dickinson building catches fire (UPDATED: 10:46 a.m., 3/8/12)

— UPDATED: 8:08 p.m., March 7, 2012 —

Around 3 p.m. on March 7, a fire broke out near Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)’s Dickinson building.

The fire began due to an unknown cause associated with a John Deere Gator utility vehicle used by the PVCC Building and Grounds Department. The fire then spread from the vehicle to a nearby storage shed, which housed extra tables and chairs for the college, and some trash cans.

Nathan Mullinax was in shop class when he and his classmates discovered the blaze on the lower level of Dickinson. As smoke began to come into the room, they raised the door and found its source. That is when Mullinax ran and pulled the fire alarm. Thanks to Mullinax’s efforts, all students, faculty and staff exited the Dickinson building unharmed.

“All of a sudden the shed caught fire and the trash cans next to it, as well. So, we all got outside whichever way we could. One of the guys, the one who drove the Gator , said he had some gas cans on the back and those ended up exploding,” said Mullinax. “At one point, we did try to grab a hose and a couple fire extinguishers to try and put the fire out. It ended up that the Gator was already gone and the shed going up already. So, we went ahead and closed the door to the shop and got out of the way.”

PVCC Security and Monticello Fire and Rescue arrived on scene shortly after the alarm was activated. Security officers maintained the scene and ensured onlookers’ safety until the fire was contained. Firefighters had the fire under control within 30 minutes.

All items touched by the fire are complete losses, though the exact cost in damage is unknown at this time.

Classes being held in the Dickinson building at the time of the fire were canceled and other arrangements were made for classes scheduled later in the evening.

“The smoke from the fire drifted into the Dickinson building, which is why classes were moved or cancelled, ” said Jacob Harned, a PVCC Campus Security Officer.

– Updated 10:46 a.m., March 8, 2012 –

Headline has been changed to accurately reflect location of the fire.