Long Mill fire probe complete

By Staff

Published: May 10, 2008

DANVILLE — Officials have confirmed that a Thursday fire at the Long Mill complex originated from a pile of debris.

The Danville Fire Department had called for a team of fire investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Danville Police Department to assist the Fire Marshal’s office.

According to a news release from Fire Chief David Eagle from the Danville Fire Department, the wind was blowing at about 9 to 15 mph directly toward the building as fire in the debris pile begin to grow. The flames reached 30 feet high.

The wind caused the flames to bank nearly 90 degrees sideways with direct flame contact to the plywood window covering on the second floor winds of the structure, causing the materials to ignite and spread the fire into the building, Eagle said in the release.

The blaze quickly spread due to the condition of the building. The lack of fire protection and accessibility issues caused the fire to spread into the second building, the release said. The second building continues to have areas that smolder and due to a threat of collapse, it’s hard for crews to reach these area, Eagle said.

The chief added that the fire department would remain at the site with one ladder truck, one engine and enough firefighters to control spot fires and smoldering debris until the incident is complete.

The onsite investigation is completed, and the team says the fire was incendiary in nature and was possibly caused by materials found on the site.

The team will continue to follow up on any leads.

Residents with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 793-0000.