BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Fire crews from multiple agencies responded to a structure fire on Spring Creek Road last Saturday, battling heavy flames, freezing temperatures and high winds in what officials described as the largest fire in the area in recent memory.
The fire was first reported at 11:35 a.m. February 7, 2026.
Crews from Bridgewater, Cloverhill, Mount Solon and Rockingham County were dispatched, with the first unit arriving within eight minutes.
Within 15 minutes, four engines and dozens of personnel were on scene working to extinguish the blaze.
Initial operations were supported by three tankers, a number that later grew to seven tankers and one pumper-tanker as the incident expanded.
Several tankers had to be taken out of service temporarily to thaw because of the cold weather, adding to the challenges crews faced.
During the first 24 hours, firefighters used more than 200,000 gallons of water, requiring more than 70 tanker trips between fill sites in town and the dump site at the scene.
Responding tankers included units from Bridgewater, Mount Solon, Cloverhill, Hose Company No. 4, Grottoes, Weyers Cave and Rockingham County Fire and Rescue’s Fulks Run station. Engine 216 from Mount Solon also assisted.
Additional support was provided by Hose Company No. 4, Rockingham County Fire and Rescue stations in Fulks Run and along North Valley Pike, Harrisonburg Fire Department’s Engine 2 in Pleasant Valley and other units from participating agencies.
The Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Company expressed gratitude to the agencies and community members who supported the effort, including Rockingham County Sheriff’s deputies, Bridgewater Public Works and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Officials also thanked local businesses and residents who donated food, including multiple Domino’s Pizza orders, catered breakfasts and home-prepared meals delivered to firefighters at the scene.
The initial incident was closed approximately 30 hours after dispatch, though crews continued making routine visits to extinguish hot spots through Wednesday morning.
Firefighters moved about 9,000 gallons of water per day on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a final 3,000 gallons Wednesday morning.
While some residents compared the fire to the October 1998 blaze that destroyed Mill Cabinet Shop, fire officials declined to draw direct comparisons.
“It is beyond a doubt the biggest fire in the Bridgewater area in recent memory because of how much water and manpower was needed to handle this incident,” the department said.
The official cause of the blaze has not been released.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BRIDGEWATER VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.
