Firefighters from Virginia and North Carolina responded to a silo fire at Ten Oaks, LLC in Stuart on July 5, containing the blaze in about two hours despite extreme heat.
Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Clint Weidhaas said a maintenance crew was testing newly installed equipment when workers noticed smoke coming from the top of the dust supply silo for the boiler.
“During the operation, they noticed smoke coming from the top of the dust supply silo for the boiler. This has happened before, about a year ago. When they saw the smoke, they were like, ‘Crap, it’s on fire again. Call 911,’” he said.
Patrick Springs and Stuart volunteer fire departments were initially dispatched.
When he arrived at the scene, Weidhaas said heavy smoke was coming from the top of the silo, prompting him to request additional manpower from the Woolwine and CCDF volunteer fire departments, as well as the North East Stokes and Lawsonville volunteer fire departments in North Carolina.
Weidhaas estimated about 10 firefighters responded from the two North Carolina departments. Stuart sent six firefighters, Patrick Springs nine, Woolwine six and CCDF two.
JEB Stuart Volunteer Rescue Squad and Stuart Community Hospital also responded with ambulances to provide rehabilitation for firefighters working in the extreme heat.
“We were probably able to work for 15 to 20 minutes, and then guys were having to switch out because it was so hot,” Weidhaas said. “The hot weather is extremely taxing on firefighters during this time period because of all the gear we’re wearing. It’s just awful.”
The fire was confined to the ceiling area of the silo, limiting damage.
“There was no damage to any mechanical equipment, and there was really no damage to the silo,” Weidhaas said. “It’s made out of steel and concrete, so it’s pretty resistant.”
Firefighters used the Stuart department’s 100-foot aerial ladder to reach the roof, stretched a handline to the top of the silo and sprayed water through roof hatches to extinguish the fire.
“We tapped into the local hydrant system to supply us water,” Weidhaas said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Although the region has experienced dry conditions, Weidhaas said he is not concerned about the local water supply.
“The hydrant systems that Patrick Springs and Stuart have are very well shored up by a supply of water,” he said. “I am worried about brush fires and how dry it is.”
used Stuart Volunteer Fire Department’s 100-foot aerial ladder to reach the top of the silo and extinguish the fire.
temperatures.
