By Amy Hunter

Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier

Published: January 13, 2009

BRISTOL, Va. – An electrical fire at Kingsway Charities forced a midday power shut-down Monday and will likely cost the struggling agency thousands of dollars, said Bristol Virginia Fire Capt. Jeff Simpson.

“The damage was probably around $25,000,” Simpson said. “It created terrible smoke and fumes, but it was contained to the metal electrical box.”

The fire was apparently the result of a short circuit in the “switch gear unit,” which Simpson said controls power to the transformers, and is an electrical switch that is used to manually shut the power on or off to the main building.

Albert Hester, director of the charity, said the unit is housed in a 6-foot-by-6-foot shelter that sits about 6 feet from the back of the main building on Commonwealth Avenue.

via Fire Deals Kingsway Charities Another Blow | TriCities.