Investigators are expected to begin sifting through the rubble today of what’s left of North Georgia Hardwoods in Cleveland. A fire broke out at the lumber supply company early Thursday. Investigators are searching for answers to what caused the blaze that destroyed three buildings and approximately 3 million board feet of lumber.
Company officials are still assessing damages.
“The company and their insurance company are meeting today [Friday, Oct. 23] to begin estimating the cost of damage and loss of inventory,” says Cleveland City Administrator Tom O’Bryant.
SEE Large commercial fire under investigation in Cleveland
According to Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, the fire originated in a storage area. An employee who lives nearby called White County 911 around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 22 to report the fire. People captured videos of the blaze on their cellphones and cameras. The local public safety information Facebook page, Red Bird Media, compiled the videos. The compelling compilation shows how intense the commercial fire was as it lit up the pre-dawn sky in Cleveland.
