Fire Devastates Harpers Ferry's Commercial Area

Harpers Ferry Mayor Gregory Vaughn says an early morning fire has devastated the historic town’s commercial area.

Vaughn says the fire destroyed seven to eight businesses housed in one building. An adjacent restaurant sustained substantial damage. No one was injured.

Credit Liz McCormick / West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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West Virginia Public Broadcasting

The buildings were constructed in the 1800s. The commercial area is adjacent to Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.

Vaughn says he was notified of the fire around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The cause hasn’t been determined, but emergency officials say it began around 3 in the morning.

Vaughn says he is grief stricken for the community and for the shop and property owners affected by the fire.

Credit Liz McCormick / West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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West Virginia Public Broadcasting

“It’s a personal, of course loss, huge loss, but the loss for our town is devastating. This is such a beautiful town, and people come here literally from all over the world,” said Cindi Dunn, whose shop, the Vintage Lady, was caught in the blaze.

Many shop owners are trying to salvage what they can, reaching through burned window frames. Local emergency officials say there were no injuries.

Harpers Ferry was the site of a failed raid on a federal arsenal in 1858 by abolitionist John Brown. During the Civil War, Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865.