Barn burns in early morning fire
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on July 31, 2006 1:46 PM
Arson is suspected in a morning fire that burned an abandoned building off Old Grantham Road, officials said.
Mar Mac Fire Chief Bill Harrell said responders got the call at around 8:20 this morning that a building was burning near Old Grantham's intersection with Blackjack Church Road. Wayne County EMS and Grantham and Thoroughfare firefighters joined Mar Mac at the scene.
News-Argus/Bobby Williams
Members of Thoroughfare, Mar Mac and Grantham volunteer fire departments respond to a structural fire off Old Grantham Road, near its intersection with Blackjack Church Road, this morning. Mar Mac Fire Chief Bill Harrell said arson is suspected as cause of blaze.
Harrell said the location of the building created some problems early on, as the road leading to it was too small for the department's large engines. So, to access the scene, smaller trucks carrying less water were used.
Despite the setback, after close to 30 minutes, the blaze had been extinguished, Harrell said.
"It took longer to get to it and find it than to put it out," the chief said.
By 10, those at the scene were waiting for investigators to determine the cause of the fire, although Harrell said it appeared people had been using the building to burn copper wire.
"It looks like it just got away from them," he said.
Harrell added witnesses believe they know who started the fire, details that will be sorted out as the investigation continues, he said.
Due to the condition of the building, there was little monetary loss associated with the blaze, Harrell added.