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Storage facility damaged

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

A fiery blaze swept through a mini-storage facility in Tyrone last Friday, but the efforts of Fayette County, Peachtree City and Fayetteville firefighters helped douse the flames before it destroyed the business or nearby structures.

No one was injured in the two-alarm blaze that caused more than a half-million dollars in damage, and the cause of the blaze remained a mystery Tuesday.

Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services crews responded to 135 Commerce Drive at 4:14 p.m. Friday and found smoke pouring from 74 Mini Storage, spokesman Capt. Pete Nelms said.

The fire started in one of the four mini-storage buildings, so more than 35 firefighters armed with 13 pieces of equipment worked quickly to contain the blaze, as the building were spaced about 25 to 30 feet apart.

By 5:19 p.m., fire crews had the fire under control, Nelms said.

“One of the four buildings sustained major damage, but firefighters were able to save one-third of that building and the other three,” Nelms said.

A portion of the Tyrone Town Hall storage facility used to hold yard equipment also was damaged.

“There was a brush fire that was started as a result of the fire,” Nelms said. “There was damage sustained to a storage facility at the Town Hall, but the firefighters were able to stop the fire and minimal damage resulted to the storage facility.”

All told, the fire caused $250,000 in damage in loss of property and contents to the facility owned by Jerry Knowles. Nelms said he was unsure what was inside of the storage facility at the 74 Mini Storage that ignited.

Officials are unsure what started the fire and they are asking for the public’s help to solve the puzzle.

“It’s still under investigation and we are looking for any witnesses that might have any information on how the fire started,” Nelms said.

Witnesses are asked to call Fire Marshal David Scarbrough at the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services at 770-461-1321 ext. 5174.