At 12:37:44, Danville Fire Department units responded to a fire alarm at Virdia, located at 228 Slayton Ave. On arrival, firefighters found smoke in the building. The fire was held in check by the fire control sprinkler and firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining fire with a portable extinguisher. Investigation early in the incident determined chemicals were involved in the ignition and effort was put into identifying the specific chemicals. Further investigation identified Hydronol was involved in the ignition which also ignited nearby papers. Firefighters ventilated smoke from the building, monitored air quality, and began assisting maintenance personnel with water removal once the building was safe.
The Danville Fire Department response included 19 personnel, 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, and 1 Safety, and 2 Battalion Chiefs. Units were onscene for 2 hours and 34 minutes.