Local and state investigators are working to determine the cause of a late-night fire that destroyed a commercial warehouse in Cornelia. The warehouse, owned by Waste Away Disposal, was used for storage, according to Cornelia Public Safety Director Chad Smith.
It was located on property adjacent to Fieldale Farms in Cornelia.
At 11:14 p.m. on January 24, Cornelia Fire was dispatched to the area of 527 South Wayside Street after a caller dialed 911, reporting a nearby field was on fire. Fire units arrived on the scene to find a large structure fully involved. The incident was then upgraded to a full response with mutual aid from Demorest Fire, Baldwin Fire, and Habersham County Emergency Services.
Firefighters from all agencies worked for over an hour to contain, control, and extinguish the flames. The immense heat of the fire caused the building to collapse, leaving burning debris underneath the sheet metal roof.
Fire personnel used hand tools to cut open and pry back the collapsed roofing while the property owner assisted in clearing the roofing with an excavator allowing access for firefighters to extinguish all remaining debris.
The scene temporarily closed South Wayside Street to all traffic from 11 p.m. on January 24 until 2 a.m. on January 25.
Local and State Fire Marshals also were on the scene, conducting interviews and gathering evidence in order determine the cause of the fire.
At this time, the cause of the fire has not been released. No injuries were reported.
