Fire to be used to raze old apartments

GAINESVILLE - An old apartment complex on the shores of Lake Lanier will be burned over the course of several days for training purposes by the Gainesville Fire Department.

The old Harborview Apartments at 2601 Thompson Bridge Road are being razed to make way for condominiums - and the Mercer Company has donated the buildings to the fire department for training fires.

SWAT team and canine units will also be involved in some exercises at the site.

Officials say the fire will be closely monitored and controlled. They add that precautions have been taken to maintain the safety of the surrounding communities. No evacuations, road closures or detours are required; however, smoke might affect nearby roads and bridges and will be highly visible in the area surrounding the Chattahoochee Country Club.

Should weather conditions exist that would result in the smoke adversely affecting neighboring residents, the schedule will be adjusted.

Plans call for the training fires to be conducted at various times until April 28.