Story and photos by Bob Bartosz
Rocky Mount (NC) Fire Department Photographer
Rocky Mount (NC) firefighters responded to this recent structure fire at a furniture manufacturer structure.
The building was full of newly made hardwood furniture and equipment. Around 10:43 a.m., on September 26, the Rocky Mount Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial building fire just up the street from the fire headquarters. It took firefighters two minutes to get there and found a 12,400-sq. ft. building with heavy fire and smoke showing.
A call was placed for additional companies and ended up using all seven stations in the city, and four departments from Nash County. One company from Nashville (NC)was dispatched directly to the fire to assist, and three other companies–Battleboro Fire Department, Red Oak Fire Department, and Sharpsburg Fire Department–were dispatched to cover empty fire stations in Rocky Mount. All three of Rocky Mount Ladder Companies were placed into service. One ladder company was forced to set up across from a busy railroad track crossing to place their ladder in service, causing the shutdown of busy rail traffic.
USING MASTER STREAMS FROM STRAIGHT-STICK AERIALS
The fire was now blazing heavily, causing the roof of the building to cave in. Firefighters poured thousands of gallons of water on the fire from ladders and handlines. More than 90 firefighters and EMS members responded to the scene. New fire academy students were requested to the scene to assist firefighters and EMS members who were setting a rehab center.
The new fire chief of Rocky Mount, Corey Mercer, was commanding officer at the scene. Mercer recently returned to Rocky Mount from Elizabeth City (NC) Fire Department, where he was chief of department. He started his 25 year career in Rocky Mount in 1994, working his way up to battalion chief. With only three days in his current position, he presided over one of the biggest fires Rocky Mount has seen in many years, using the entire seven stations in the Rocky Mount professional department.
It took firefighters more than five hours to contain the fire. One firefighter sustained minor injuries, but no other injuries were reported. Firefighters remained at the scene for many hours hitting hot spots and picking up equipment.
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