Friday, February 2, 2001
Friday, February 2, 2001 |
|
Fires strike roofing plant, subdivision
By JOHN
MUNFORD The Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department has battled two significant blazes in the past week: a structure fire at Certainteed in the industrial park and a field fire in the Kedron Hills subdivision. The Certainteed fire, which had flames showing from four stories of a tower when firefighters responded, was called in last Thursday evening. The fire was likely started by a hot oil line that ruptured, said Fire Chief Stony Lohr. The flames also spread up to the roof of the structure, but a storage area was kept safe thanks to assistance from the Fayetteville Fire Department, Lohr added. One firefighter was injured when he was knocked down by a blast of water when a line loosened from its connection with the fire hydrant. The fireman, who was taken to the hospital, has been on light duty the past several days while recuperating from those injuries, Lohr added. Certainteed, which manufactures roofing shingles, had just installed a new fire suppression system in the building, Lohr said. The field fire at Kedron Hills started Monday afternoon when sparks flew from a controlled burn into a nearby field of high grass, Lohr said. The blaze eventually wiped out 11 acres and came dangerously close to two homes, he added. The heat of the fire came so close to one residence that it melted the vinyl siding near the roof, Lohr said. "The wind pushed it, and it was like an inferno," he said. The department responded with four engines, and the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services also sent assistance with two engines and a brush truck to battle the flames, Lohr said. The Georgia Forestry Commission also responded to help contain the fire. No one was injured as the flames were extinguished, Lohr added. Crews stood by for several hours later until rain began to fall, eliminating the chance of a flare-up.
|