March 1st, 2023
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Early morning on February 11th, a fire broke out at a Wayne County, North Carolina industrial facility with smoke visible for over thirty miles. A passerby saw the fire and told dispatchers the flames were three stories high. National Salvage and Service Corporation, the facility owner, has performed railroad track removal and demolition since 1980. The 100-acre facility recycles railroad ties coated with creosote, a wood preservative that causes large amounts of smoke when involved in a fire. A stiff breeze, with gusts over 13 mph, helped disperse the smoke. As the fire spread, 27 fire departments arrived at the scene.
Due to the nature of the fuel load, firefighters worked to protect exposures and surrounding property. Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County EMS, NC State Highway Patrol, NC Department of Transportation, Red Cross, and numerous volunteer departments aided on the scene. The North Carolina Forest Service conducted air drops to assist with the firefighting efforts. Crews brought in tanker trucks full of water throughout the day.
Burning continued into Sunday when firefighters finally gained control of the fire. Officials from Wayne County Sherriff’s Office, the state forest service and the state bureau of investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire.
Risk Logic can assist your company with analyzing the protection of the storage at your facility to help reduce your property risks. Our engineers work will evaluate existing fire protection and make recommendations for needed improvements. We utilize FM Global and NFPA standards, and can assist with providing alternate solutions that are not captured within local codes.