Officials say it appears that a mechanical failure inside a wood-drying kiln caused a fire that destroyed a building at a local lumber yard.
Firefighters were dispatched to Legacy Wood Products on the Helen Highway in White County around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. When they arrived on the scene, they found a large metal building fully engulfed in flames. The building was filled to the roof with firewood that was being processed for sale.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy says a kiln used to dry the firewood caught on fire. The blaze caused explosions that blew off the roof and other parts of the building. He says there were approximately 36 cords of wood in the kiln at the time.
Firefighters managed to contain the damage to the one building. The 40 x 40 x 20-foot high structure was completely destroyed. Other buildings on the property, formerly known as Mount Yonah Lumber Yard, were okay, says Murphy.
Fire personnel from White County, Cleveland, and Lee Arrendale remained on the scene for eight hours battling the blaze and putting out hot spots.
White County CERT REHAB was called in to assist fire personnel.
