Amherst County, Virginia

Fire Marshal’s Office

The Fire Marshal’s Office has primary responsibility for:

-       Inspecting businesses/commercial structures to ensure fire code compliance

-       Investigating potential fire or environmental crimes

-       Issuing permits for fireworks and other items specified in fire code

-       Reviewing and approving development plans

The Fire Marshal is responsible for determining the origin and cause of fires in a effort to prevent future occurrences. The types of fires investigated include; large loss fires, fires of suspicious nature, fires involving personal injury, and explosions.

Some fires may not be accidental in nature. Intentionally set fires (arson) account for tens of thousands of fires annually. In instances where an arson fire is suspected, Amherst County Fire Investigators team up with Amherst County Sheriff's Office Investigators or the Virginia State Police to solve the crime. 

If you know of a suspected arson fire in Amherst County, call 434-946-9307.

Currently, the Fire Marshal’s Office includes the ACFE Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal and 2 part-time fire inspectors. In addition to their primary responsibilities, inspectors create building pre-plans, allowing ACFE personnel to know vital information about buildings, contents, and access points prior to an emergency occurring.