WSLS News Staff & Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 8, 2008

Click here for the slideshow

Updated 11:45p.m. with new pictures

Fire Chief David Eagle said investigators are now sure that the fire, which has demolished one building of the Dan River Inc. Long Mill complex and partially demolished another building, started in a large pile of debris.

When firefighters responded to a call received at 4:22 p.m. Thursday, the “entire pile of debris was already on fire and lapping up the building,” Eagle said. The fire in a pile of “dried out timber from construction, very small kindling type wood” about 100 feet long by 8 feet tall spread to adjacent buildings, he said.

“It overwhelmed us pretty quick.”

Eagle said the building had no fire protection and sprinkler systems had been deactivated.

Emergency crews arrived half an hour later and three streets were evacuated as a precautionary measure, he said. Businesses on Riverside Drive have closed due to smoke in the area.

Emergency Services Director Doug Young said that the Salvation Army has been helping to provide relief to evacuated residents.

Eagle said storms expected later Thursday night may offer some relief.

“I think mother nature can certainly help it. ...We welcome the rain but we hope the winds will stay away.”

I’ve been the fire chief for a year, been in the department for over 30 years - and this is a pretty big fire,” Eagle said. “We’re fortunate that no on was in there.”

Eagle expected crews to be working through the night.

Witnesses said that at about 4:15 p.m. only the huge pile of debris from ongoing demolition was on fire. By 5 p.m., at least one building was engulfed in flames and the Danville Fire Department was battling the blaze from at least five directions while trying to prevent nearby trees and homes from catching on fire.

Lt. John Henderson of the Danville Police Department said some nearby residences have been evacuated.

---------------------------

By DENICE THIBODEAU
Danville Register & Bee

A fire that reportedly started in a pile of demolition debris at the Long Mill site Thursday afternoon has engulfed buildings and closed the Union Street Bridge.

Witnesses said that at about 4:15 p.m. only the huge pile of debris from ongoing demolition was on fire. By 5 p.m., at least one building was engulfed in flames and the Danville Fire Department was battling the blaze from at least five directions while trying to prevent nearby trees and homes from catching on fire.

Lt. John Henderson of the Danville Police Department said some nearby residences have been evacuated.

----------

Updated 6:17 p.m. with new pictures

A major fire is burning at the Dan River Inc. Long Mill buildings in Danville.

According to our newsroom at the Register & Bee, firefighters believe the flames sparked when debris in front of a building caught fire.

Union Street bridge is closed.  People who live near the area have been evacuated.

More information as it becomes available.

At a Danville City Council meeting in June, City Manager Jerry Gwaltney said the Danville Fire Department will not send firemen into the buildings if a significant fire breaks out there. Click here to read that story.

Picture below taken by Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee: