In the early hours of Tuesday, January 16, 2026, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Stations 3 and 9 were alerted at 3:28 a.m. for a reported structure fire in the 41100 block of Bishop Road in Mechanicsville. The incident, located in Company 1's first due area, involved a non-dwelling structure - specifically, a greenhouse complex reported to contain fertilizers and chemical sprays.

Chief 3B (Vanness) was the first officer on the scene and reported heavy fire conditions with two greenhouses and an adjacent shed fully involved. Due to the scale of the fire and the potential hazards from stored chemicals, the incident was immediately upgraded to include a Working Incident Task Force and a Water Supply Task Force. These task forces brought in additional engines, tankers, a squad, an ambulance, and an ALS unit, along with enhanced water supply support critical for operations in non-hydrant areas.

At approximately 3:38 a.m., the first units arrived and initiated an aggressive fire attack. The first hose line was directed toward the most distant exposure to slow the fire's progression. Engine 23 was assigned to protect a second greenhouse just a minute later, and by 3:43 a.m., both greenhouses were reported to be fully involved in fire.

All units operated on scene for approximately two hours before returning to service.

Crews acted quickly to sever the spread of fire to other nearby structures and to a group of fuel tanks on site. With structural collapse occurring and fire conditions deteriorating, command transitioned operations to a defensive strategy at 3:46 a.m. to ensure firefighter safety.

The fire was marked under control by 3:56 a.m. and operations concluded by 5:16 a.m. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported, and no one was believed to be inside the structures at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Bay District Volunteer Fire Department commends the coordinated efforts of all mutual aid partners who responded swiftly and professionally to contain the fire, protect surrounding property, and mitigate environmental hazards.

Fire Safety Tip: If you use greenhouses or outbuildings for storage, keep chemicals and flammable materials in properly labeled containers and away from heat sources. Regular inspections and proper ventilation can help prevent fires and hazardous conditions.

For more fire safety information and department updates, follow Bay District Volunteer Fire Department on social media or visit our website.

** All Photos Courtesy of Mechanicsville VFD **