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PELL CITY, Alabama - Thursday, February 14,2008 - 10:30 am - Fire crews were
alerted of a structure fire near the intersection of Highway 231 and Highway
78 in Pell City. As firefighters rushed to the scene they could see a large
plum of smoke bellowing from the area. When units arrived they quickly
discovered this was an abandon mill that was a century old. The Avondale
mills operated until 2006 when it was shut down.
Crews quickly started a defensive attack on the large structure. With flames
raging from the building, firefighters quickly set up several large master
streams from Ariel ladder trucks. Several engine companies from Pell City,
Vincent, Moody, Talladega, Odenville, Cook Springs and Riverside Fire
Departments supplied the fire attack. At the height of the fire, witnesses
said the smoke plum could be seen from miles away.
Crews were able to put the fire in check after about an hour, however 7
hours later firefighters were still wetting don hot spots. Fire command says
it may be tomorrow before all the ashes are extinguished. Luckily there were
no reports of any injuries in connection with the blaze.
Fire officials believe the fire started when sparks from a cutting torch
fell on some old cotton dust. The sparks came from torches being used to
disassemble the duct work in the building. Crews were working to scrap the
structure before it was sold. The fire is being considered accidental and
the building is a total loss.
Story and Photos by Pete Carson |
