A major fire severely damaged a 140-year-old building in downtown St. Thomas on Thursday morning, forcing the displacement of nine residents and prompting plans for demolition, according to the local fire department.
Fire crews were called to the scene shortly before 7 a.m. and arrived within minutes to find residents trying to escape. Firefighters shifted immediately to rescue operations, using ground ladders to reach two people trapped at upper-level front windows while others were guided out through rear fire escapes.
Three people were transported to hospital as a precaution, though none suffered serious injuries. City officials later confirmed the structure sustained extensive damage and is no longer safe, requiring demolition work that has already begun. Crews are proceeding carefully to avoid damaging neighboring buildings.
Among those affected was a family with a child attending Monsignor Morrison Catholic Elementary School. The school organized a donation drive to support the family, who lost all of their belongings in the fire. Community members quickly responded with gift card donations, some of which were delivered to the family the same day.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.