HOCKING COUNTY, OH — Officials at Hocking Hills State Park have confirmed that the Visitor Center at Old Man’s Cave will remain closed today, Thursday, April 23, as crews begin cleaning up damage from a structure fire that broke out Wednesday evening.
While the initial response involved multiple departments and water tankers, park officials are now describing the incident as a “small fire” that was contained to a single office within the facility.
Quick Response Limits Damage
The fire was first reported around 7:10 PM on Wednesday, shortly after the center had closed for the day. The Laurelville Volunteer Fire Department, supported by mutual aid from Hocking and Pickaway Counties, arrived to find active flames inside the building.
Thanks to the rapid arrival of emergency units, the blaze was extinguished quickly, preventing it from spreading to the main gallery or the rest of the critical park infrastructure. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Current Status for Visitors
Although the fire was small, the building sustained smoke and water damage that requires immediate attention.
- Building Status: The Visitor Center is CLOSED today for cleanup and assessment.
- Park Access: Hiking trails and park access remain open to the public.
- Amenities: To accommodate the high volume of tourists, park staff have provided portable toilets outside the center for public use while the main facility is shuttered.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and local fire investigators.
Park officials expressed their gratitude to the local volunteer fire departments for their swift action. “Thank you for your understanding,” the park stated in a morning update. “The fire was put out quickly, and we are working to get back to normal operations as soon as possible.”
