The Standard-Coosa-Thatcher Mills operated at 1800 South Watkins Street until 2003.Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to a fire at the corner of 18th Street and S. Watkins at 3:00 a.m. where they found the old Standard Coosa Thatcher plant engulfed in flames.
The firefighters could see the flames from miles away as the building covered the equivalent of an entire city block.
Ten fire companies were on scene to extinguish the fire. It took 40 firefighters up to two hours to get the fire contained.
The building was supposedly vacant, but it will take firefighters several hours to search and confirm that no one was inside at the time of the fire.
A trackhoe has been called in to tear down parts of the building to help firefighters finish putting out the hot spots.
One firefighter was treated on scene by the Hamilton County EMS for heat exhaustion.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Standard Coosa Thatcher facility has been dormant for more than 20 years.
The companies involved in demolishing the Standard Coosa Thatcher textile plant are facing felony charges for conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act when asbestos was improperly removed from site.
Staff File Photo