A mechanical failure is believed to be the source of an explosive Wednesday night blaze at a firewood company in White County.
About 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the commercial fire at Southern Legacy Wood Products, formerly known as Mount Yonah Lumber at 1605 Helen Highway.
"On scene, firefighters found a fully-involved fire of a 40-by-40 by 20-foot-high metal building that was filled to the roof with firewood being processed,” said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy.
Murphy said the company processes firewood to be sold by kiln drying it.
"The origin of the fire was determined to be the kiln itself that was full of firewood, which caused explosions resulting in the metal roof and other portions of the building to ‘blow off’,” Murphy said. “There was approximately 36 cords of wood in the kiln.”
Firefighters were on scene for about eight hours. White County CERT Rehab responded to assist fire personnel from White County, Cleveland and Lee Arrendale State Prison.
No injuries were reported, and the fire is believed to be the result of a mechanical failure, Murphy said.
