3 months since major Uptown Lexington business fire: Here’s a look at the progress so far
LEXINGTON, N.C. —
Three months after a massive fire destroyed two landmark businesses in Uptown Lexington, firefighters are reflecting on their response and the strategies that prevented the flames from spreading further.
Lexington Fire Chief Michael Tofano said his department has spent the past three months reviewing its handling of the May 19 fire that destroyed The Candy Factory and Shoto Japanese Steakhouse.
“There were a lot of things that went right for us that night,” Tofano said.
With assistance from other agencies and strategic placement of ladder trucks, crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby businesses.
“One of our main takeaways was the utilization of all of those resources that we needed in order to be successful at putting out the fire,” Tofano said.
While the cause of the fire may never be determined, Tofano said the moments crews responded will remain unforgettable.
“When we originally arrived on scene, the fire was from the first floor all the way through the third floor. So with that extensive amount of time that it had been burning in there, most likely by the time we arrived, it had already spread over into The Candy Factory,” Tofano said.
Specialized firewalls prevented the fire from jumping to nearby businesses, including Main Street Deli and Bagels & More. However, Tofano noted that firewalls, which are required by code, can pose a risk of collapse after fires, leaving the block closed until the walls are deemed stable.
“If you have buildings that are together like those, you’re going to end up having firewalls. That is, something that is required by code. And, in those particular businesses, those firewalls were made from masonry, from brick,” Tofano said.
Previous coverage of the Uptown Lexington Fire