WALTON, NY — August 30, 2026 — At at 8:37 a.m. on Sunday, the Walton Fire Department was called to a commercial building that housed multiple businesses due to a working structure fire. A Walton police officer made the first report, which was followed by other calls from homeowners and drivers reporting a fire behind the Packin' Heat restaurant.

According to reports, the fire was moving quickly up an exterior wall and into the eaves of the structure. Firefighters from Walton arrived at the scene, collected tools and equipment, and started setting up a water supply. By 8:47 a.m., water was flowing on the fire. Mutual As the fire progressed into the attic and into a number of establishments, including Packin' Heat, Coughlin and Gerhart Law Office, Walton Dental, and Bongo's Smoke Shop, assistance was summoned.

Walton was helped by firefighters and equipment from the Delhi, Downsville, Franklin, Masonville, and Trout Creek fire departments. Masonville and Trout Creek districts were covered by the Sidney incident Department while those units were responding to the incident. The Delhi district was served by the Bloomville Fire Department.

Concerns over the building's roof trusses led to the use of an external attack. At around 9:09 a.m., the roof started to collapse, restricting operations inside.

For several hours, about forty firefighters remained on the site. Just before 9:30 a.m., fire investigators were sent in to start figuring out what caused the incident.

The entire commercial complex was considered a total loss, with damage estimated at more than $1 million.

Walton firefighters returned to the property at approximately 9:30 p.m. to wet down remaining hot spots.

Additional assistance was provided by Walton EMS, the Walton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, NYSEG, Delaware County Emergency Management, Delaware County Fire Investigators, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Walton Police Department, Delaware County EMS and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control investigators.

Walton Police remained at the scene for a separate active investigation that was not related to the fire.

No injuries were reported among firefighters or civilians during the incident. The building remained secured and roped off, and the public was not permitted to enter the portions of the structure that remained standing.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigation Bureau.

The Walton Fire Department also thanked the Thayer family for providing refreshments to firefighters during the extended operation.