BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) – Managers of a burning warehouse, which rapidly became so engulfed that flames threatened nearby homes, waited a day before calling the local fire department for help, Georgia state investigators said in a report.
A giant pile of wood pellets awaiting export at the Port of Brunswick caught fire in early May and destroyed the vast warehouse where they were being stored. No one was injured, but firefighters shut off gas lines to nearby homes and remained at the scene for weeks to make sure flames didn’t rekindle.
Georgia state investigators sharply criticized the company that operates the warehouse, Logistec, in a report of their preliminary findings. They learned the Montreal-based company “utilized a private `fire brigade’ for approximately a day” before alerting the Brunswick Fire Department.
“The fire grew rapidly and dangerous to the surrounding residences and warehouses,” the report read. “Ultimately the fire grew out of control and caused a violent explosion. Several neighboring fire departments responded to assist.”
Brunswick Fire Chief Randy Mobley said the fire would likely have been less severe had his department known to respond earlier.