|
Posted: 10:30 PM Jul 25, 2008
Salvage Yard Fire Described as "War Zone"
Local firefighters described a Thursday night salvage yard inferno as “a war zone.” Reporter: Paul GesslerEmail Address: paul.gessler@wsaz.com |
|
BELFRY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Local firefighters described a Thursday night salvage yard inferno as "a war zone."
That's remarkable, considering all it took was a simple spark to ignite a fire so big that its smoke could be picked up on local radar. As many as 11 fire departments had to truck water up a narrow road to fight the massive blaze.
Belfry Fire Chief Nee Jackson said a spark can occur as cars are picked up or machinery slips, possibly igniting a fire.
While Jackson said he believes the fire was an accident, local resident Greg Pauley referred to the fire as "a time bomb." Residents heard explosions caused by fully inflated tires and propane tanks scattered in the salvage yard.
At nearby Belfry High School, soccer practice had to be cut short. The school did not sustain damage, and soccer practice resumed on Friday.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the state Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the blaze.





