PHOTOS: Officials said there was an early morning fire at the Troutville Fire Training Center on Friday. At 5:14 a.m., units were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 50 Sunset Avenue in the Town of Troutville. Officials said this call was unlike many, as this incident was at the Troutville Fire Training Center, immediately adjacent to the Troutville Fire Department.
An immediate response from Troutville units found a significant amount of smoke and fire coming from the building. The incident was immediately upgraded to a working fire, and additional units from throughout Botetourt County responded, officials said. According to officials, the building has been utilized by Troutville, agencies throughout Botetourt, and throughout Southwestern Virginia as a place for fire and emergency services training, as well as a host of other activities.
This facility serves as the primary training location for Botetourt and has been actively hosting the county’s 2025 Volunteer Firefighter Academy. “This fire comes as a shock to us all, and the impacts of this significant loss will take time to recover from, but we will find ways to better our resources through this loss to our department and region,” said Troutville Volunteer Fire Chief Zach Beckner.
