Lightning likely cause of Pavilion fire

NEWPORT NEWS , Va. (WAVY) - A building the grounds of the Newport News City Park has been deemed a total loss after a fire ripped through early Sunday morning.

Acting Fire Chief Scott Liebold with the Newport News Fire Department said fire crews received a call around 5:40 a.m. in reference to a structure fire at the park located off of Fort Eustis Boulevard. When they arrived six minutes later, firefighters found the Pavilion fully involved in fire.

Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as “undetermined,” but most likely the cause of the fire was a lightning strike to the roof area setting the building on fire.

Liebold explained the Pavilion, which is adjacent to the golf course, is a banquet hall and meeting facility. WAVY.com learned there were three weddings scheduled in October at the Pavilion.

Curt Degraw of Virginia Hospitality says his company is working with the city to find new places for the weddings to be held.

Because propane tanks were present and involved in the fire, crews were forced to take a defensive position against the blaze, Liebold said.

The fire was under control by 7:10 a.m., but crews were still on scene completing an overhaul seven hours later. Portions of the building were pulled down for the safety of investigators and responders.

The building was later deemed a total loss. No one was hurt in the fire.

Fire crews ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined, Chief Pincus with the NNFD said.