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Fire preparations always a concern for local officials
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By WENDY MITCHELL, Staff Writer
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Title: Tobacco Warehouse Fires
Date: Oct. 12th, 2007
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Being prepared is the difference between control and disaster when a fire strikes a warehouse in a place like Maysville.
Because many of the larger warehouse buildings are from decades if not centuries past, a fire could spread quickly to neighboring properties, officials said.
Maysville firefighters have developed contingency plans on each of the warehouse buildings. Details of surrounding structures, hydrant locations and output, utility lines overhead and underground, and traffic patterns all are part of the written and mapped plans kept on file at the fire station.
If a warehouse is too far gone, the focus shifts to saving nearby homes and other structures.
"Just like when Parker Tobacco burned (in May, 2007), they went to the file and the information was right in front of them to go by," said Maysville Fire Chief Eric Bach.
Once a fire is verified, a command post is set up, and in the case of a fire the size of Parker, mutual aid instructions are implemented to bring in fire companies from surrounding areas to assist or provide auxiliary coverage.
Training sessions are part of firefighter life. When firefighters are not out on other emergencies, training usually lasts for a few hours each day.
"We plan a worst case scenario with one shift and train with the next two shifts on what to do in the situation so things will hopefully run smoothly," said Bach.
Dangers in the large span buildings range from steel or heavy timber roof materials to wood and concrete floors.
Lack of occupancy is sometimes the worst enemy of the old warehouses.
"I would love to see every building occupied," said Bach. "In an occupied building, it is hard to hide. In an unoccupied building you have problems with vandals and the homeless."
When there is an arson fire, it is hard to convict anyone unless a witness comes forward, said Bach.
Firefighters also try to train for specific designs of large buildings.
If possible, the interior floor plan of each warehouse is also attached to the plan. At the least, the exterior design is part of the plan.
Maysville has been lucky more warehouses have not been lost, said Bach.
"There was Burley, where the library is now, in the 1980s. That was very close to downtown. Then the Union Street, Southwestern fire in the 1990s; Growers-Liberty in June, 1997 and Parker in May this year," said Bach.
Sprinkler systems have been installed in some of the newer warehouses that help control a fire until firefighters can respond, but older ones lack such assistance, said Bach.
There are more warehouses in the area than people may realize; creating floor plans and fighting plans vary, said Bach.
"I believe there are 22 (tobacco warehouses) left," said Bach. "In general, owners are good about letting us in for inspection or just to sketch a floor plan."
Inspections help avoid problems.
There are different factors applied to every business when a fire inspection is performed.
"Every business should be inspected every year. Owners are generally good about it. If there is a violation they get time to correct it. If it is not corrected there are fines," said Bach.
Observant neighbors and diligent owners are always helpful, said Bach.
To report an arsonist call Kentucky State Police Arson Hotline at 1-800-272-7766.
For more area news, go to http://www.maysville-online.com.
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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