BALDWIN — Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy and Firefighter Ross Jackson got more than they expected when they heard an explosion while standing outside the fire department Tuesday morning.
“I was standing outside the fire department with another employee, Firefighter Jackson, when we heard an explosion,” Roy said. “We started looking around and saw smoke boiling out the top of the feed mill. I called Dispatch by radio and had them dispatch a first alarm, being Station 4, [Habersham County] Station 12, [Lee Arrendale State Prison] Station 24 and EMS to that location.”
Roy immediately responded across Willingham Avenue to the feed mill located on Broiler Boulevard.
“Upon arrival, I found the building being evacuated and we had one [Fieldale] employee injured with first-degree burns to the face and second-degree burns to the arm,” Roy said. “We quickly addressed the injuries and turned him over to Habersham EMS, which transported him to Habersham Medical Center.”
Because one employee of the facility was unaccounted for, firefighters began a search and rescue operation.
“He was located on the second floor with no injuries and evacuated,” Roy said. “All floors had to be searched for lingering fires or embers. There was significant damage to many areas of the building.”
Roy said after firefighters checked all parts of the building and made sure there was no fire, the facility was turned back over to Fieldale officials. Firefighters were on scene for about two hours.
“I would like to thank all responding units for a job well done,” Roy said.
