FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE HEAT FROM FIRE, WEATHER

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

LINCOLNTON -- It wasn't just what was burning behind Belding-Hausman Wednesday afternoon that firefighters from four departments had to contend with. It was also Mother Nature.

Near 100-degree heat was another enemy firefighters from Lincolnton, Boger City, South Fork and North 321 besides a pile of roofing material located behind the plant on East Main Street in Lincolnton.

According to Lincolnton Fire assistant chief Mitch Burgin, manpower was the weapon of choice in keeping firefighters from being beaten by the heat and humidity.

"The heat is a big concern," said Burgin, as he dispatched crews on the scene to fight the outside fire.

In The Carolina Scoop exclusive video, Burgin talks about how the crews were going to be continuously rotated to beat the heat.

"We have to start keeping the firefighters hydrated from the beginning," said Burgin. "We can't wait until it's too late."

The American Red Cross was called in to assist the firefighters while they stayed on the scene for more than four hours. A backhoe was brought in to help tear the fire down, so firefighters could get to its source.

Lincoln County Fire Marshal Mike Futrell and assistant fire marshal Bill Summers were driving by the facility when they noticed the fire.

"We saw a big plume of black smoke," said Futrell.

Firefighters expressed initial concern when arriving at the scene because an employee of Belding-Hausman had entered the building near the fire and got a fire extinguisher. Nobody was injured in the fire.

As of Thursday, the fire remained under investigation by the Lincolnton Fire Department.