BUFORD - Gwinnett County firefighters spent several hours Tuesday evening handling a massive fire that broke out inside of the former site of the Buford Tannery.<br />
<br />
According to Captain Tommy Rutledge, crews were called to the scene on East Moreno Street just before 7 p.m. following reports of a large warehouse that was roughly fifty-percent involved with fire. First responders were faced with flames pouring from the building's roof and front windows when the initial fire trucks arrived on scene.<br />
<br />
Rutledge said that due to the warehouse's former use as a tannery and the possibility of plumbing chemicals still being stored inside the building, crews were instructed to take a cautious approach and allow the fire to burn itself out. In addition to housing the tannery, the building had apparently been the site of a now-defunct plumbing business and was vacant at the time of the fire.<br />
<br />
Firefighters remained on scene throughout the night, working to monitor the area and prevent the fire from spreading beyond its initial location.<br />
<br />
Earlier reports said that no one was found in or around the building when firefighters first arrived on scene, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.<br />
<br />
Rutledge said the actual cause of the fire is unknown at this time, and an investigation has been initiated to determine that cause.<br />
