Cause of fire outside of Dickinson revealed

On March 7, a fire broke out behind Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)’s V. Earl Dickinson Building. No one was hurt in the blaze that torched a PVCC Building and Grounds, John Deere Gator utility vehicle and nearby storage shed.

Fire investigators for Albemarle County have traced the cause of the fire back to a container of cigarette butts on the back of the Gator. It is reported that the fire spread from the container to a blower on the vehicle, which provided the fuel to set the entire vehicle on fire.

PVCC has yet to release an official statement about the fire and the events leading up to it. David Thompson, facilities manager, will be submitting an official report to PVCC President Frank Friedman in the next two weeks.

The community college has not placed blame on any college employee, and is considering the blaze an accident at this time.