Fire at Holmes Iron and Metal prompts evacuation
Published 11:50 am Wednesday, July 18, 2018
A large fire at Holmes Metal & Iron on Long Street in East Spencer on Wednesday. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
A large fire at Holmes Metal & Iron on Long Street in East Spencer sends up a large cloud of black smoke. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The large column of smoke rises over East Spencer Town Hall. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Rowan EMS deploys a drone for an aerial view of the firefighting operations at Holmes Metal & Iron on Long Street in East Spencer on Wednesday. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
A South Salisbury ladder truck puts water on a fire at Holmes Metal in East Spencer in July 2018. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Fire Department sets up a command post across from the fire on North Street. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
JON C. LAKEY / SALISBURY POST Rowan Rescue Squad deploys a drone for an aerial view of the fire fighting operations. A large fire at Holmes Metal and Iron on Long Street in East Spencer is sending up a large cloud of black smoke. Multiple fire departments responded. Small explosions can be heard as batteries and other materials in piles of wrecked cars explode. Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in East Spencer, N.C.
Tankers from all over Rowan County shuttled water to drop tanks to provide much need water to fight the fire. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Fire crews bring in food and fluids for the firefighters. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Small explosions could be heard from batteries and other materials in piles of wrecked cars . Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Update: The fire has decreased, but is not extinguished.
More than 1,400 Duke Energy customers are without power in East Spencer, Spencer and along Long Ferry Road.
A shelter will be set up at the J.F. Hurley YMCA on Jake Alexander Boulevard for residents of a four-block area surrounding Holmes Iron and Metal who are being evacuated as a precaution.
More than 125 firefighters have been on the scene, with fire departments throughout the county and surrounding areas responding. One firefighter was slightly injured in getting a hose from a tanker truck.
The Red Cross has been providing assistance to personnel on the scene.
The city of Salisbury has sent out the following statement:
“On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, The East Spencer Fire Department was dispatched at 11 a.m. to a fire at Holmes Iron and Metal located at 629 N Long St. East, Spencer, N.C. When firefighters arrived they discovered heavy fire involvement of multiple vehicles. The assessment was upgraded to a working incident and the request for additional resources were issued.
“With multiple agencies and approximately 125 firefighters on-scene, the fire is controlled and contained. The Rowan -Salisbury hazmat and Charlotte Regional Team confirmed no airborne hazardous material in the vicinity.
“As a sign of precaution, a shelter-in-place has been issued for residents in the path of smoke. All residents are encouraged to close windows and doors.
“Residents in need of transportation to the Hurley YMCA can call (704) 216-8503, and should go to the East Spencer Fire Department. Priority will be given to special needs and elderly. The Hurley YMCA is located at 828 Jake Alexander Blvd.
“No one was injured by fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
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A large fire at Holmes Metal and Iron on Long Street in East Spencer is sending up a large cloud of black smoke.
Multiple fire departments are responding. Small explosions can be heard as batteries and other materials in piles of wrecked cars explode.
Reporter Shavonne Walker and photography Jon Lakey are at the scene and reporting intense heat, as well as the smoke.
No one has been injured, as far as we know. Firefighters have asked the Red Cross to provide recovery as personnel work the fire.
A haz mat team has been called to the scene. Additional tankers are being called with water for the fire, which could spread easily.
Multiple fire agencies at Holmes Iron and Metal. No one inside business. It appears a car fell off a scrap pile and ignited. pic.twitter.com/OvUdVbcXLw
— Shavonne Potts (@SalPostPotts) July 18, 2018
More video footage of a massive fire @ Holmes Iron and Metal @SalisburyNCFire @TownEastSpencer FD on scene #RowanRescue on scene. pic.twitter.com/GvQr8sEUhs
— Shavonne Potts (@SalPostPotts) July 18, 2018
