Off-campus Virginia Tech facility destroyed in fire

BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - An investigation is underway after a fire at a Virginia Tech Facility on Prices Fork Road.

According to crews on scene, the facility is owned by the school's Architectural Department and was used as storage for the Virginia Tech FutureHAUS.

The fire started just before 9 p.m. Sunday. When crews got there the entire building was on fire and they were worried about the fire spreading because of the high winds.

BVRS is currently on the scene of a structure fire in the Prices Fork area. Agencies on scene include Blacksburg Fire Department, Long Shop McCoy Fire Department, Blacksburg Police, and Virginia Tech Police.

Posted by Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad on Sunday, February 12, 2017

"It was a wind driven fire. Gusts were anywhere from 30 to 40 sometimes more than that. Immediately went into protecting the other structures surrounding it. Lots of overhead power lines gave the firefighters their biggest concern," said Bobby Carner, Blacksburg Fire Chief who added they had to put a small grass fire when embers spread.

More than fifty firefighters responded. No one was hurt. The fire chief says right now it looks like the fire was accidental but they will be back on scene Monday morning investigating.

FutureHAUS explores new ways of building and incorporating smart technologies for homes. The applied research project also demonstrates the efficiency and quality of modular construction, and the strategy of designing homes for accessibility and lifelong living. The third phase of Virginia Tech's FutureHAUS, a just-completed bathroom, was showcased in January in Las Vegas at North America's premier annual kitchen and bath industry event.