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One dead in JCC fire in Greensprings Plantation subdivision

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — One person was killed following a house fire in the Greensprings Plantation subdivision in James City County Monday night.

According to officials, crews were notified of a possible residential fire in the 4000 block of Frances Berkeley at 5:22 p.m.


Crews arrived to the scene and found fire showing from the first and second story windows of the home, as well as significant fire involvement at the rear of the home. Neighbors notified crews that two people were possibly still inside of the house.

WAVY viewer Chris Smurthwaite captured video of the fire, showing firefighters working to bring the fire under control.

“My initial reaction was to go inside,” Smurthwaite said. “When we first got there, we could already feel the heat … that’s how intense it was.”

https://digital-staging.wavy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/chris-smurthwaite-JCC-fire-video.mov
Williamsburg house fire (Courtesy: Chris Smurthwaite)

Due to a partial collapse of the second floor and significant fire damage, search and rescue operations were conducted through multiple windows on the first and second floor.

An investigation revealed one of the occupants was not at the home at the time of the fire.

The second occupant was found once the fire was brought under control, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I talked to a neighbor while I was there, he said it was an elderly man and woman that lived there. Just those two and both of their vehicles were home. He said he thinks they were probably home because they couldn’t move very well….which I was hoping that wasn’t the case,” said Smurthwaite.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the James City County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.