|
|
|
|
|
18 July 2025
|
Large fire and explosion at Stella Jones pole treatment plant, firefighter injured, Alabama, US
|
|
On Saturday night, a large ball of fire was a force to be reckoned with for Brierfield firefighters and others helping from area departments. “When a thing erupted, and then it was get everybody out of Dodge. At that point in time, we could not risk lives and equipment based on what was going on,” Chief Spruce Mcree said. Mcree is the department’s fire chief. He says the fire happened at a treatment plant for a utility pole making company called Stella Jones. Chief Mcree says there are thousands of gallons of hazardous materials like fuel on the property.
During their attack, they were forced to fall back and watch it burn. "We did not want to be applying a lot of water for the potential of runoff, because it sits on top of a hill, and you've got the Cahaba River two and a half miles away. And the environmental impact would have been devastating,” Chief Mcree said.
Brierfield crews are familiar with the plant. They have a manual telling them everything from the hazardous materials on site to the layout of the property. "We got maps of the plant, and you think you’re ready, but when the real deal happens, you get brain freeze sometimes,” Chief Mcree said.
Chief Mcree is happy everyone made it out alive, though some departments lost equipment. He says there are some lessons to be learned. "We have to go back and do an after-action review. What did we do? Right? What did we do wrong? What could we have done better and learn from this experience?” Chief Mcree said.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for first-degree burns. He's since been treated and released. Chief Mcree says he's doing fine.
Stella-Jones released a statement on the fire that had a discrepancy regarding an explosion. Firefighters said there was a blast, while the company said there was not: “On the evening of July 12, at approximately 9:20 PM, a fire broke out at our utility pole treating facility located in Brierfield, in Bibb County. No explosion occurred. Emergency responders were immediately notified and mobilized to address the incident. Fire marshals are managing the completion of the fire response. We are currently investigating the cause of the event and will be assessing the damage. We are grateful to report that no Stella-Jones employees ended up injured and we extend our thanks to the emergency personnel for their continued efforts.”
The state's fire marshal department will take care of it from here with the investigation.
Source: WVTM13, Stella-Jones
During their attack, they were forced to fall back and watch it burn. "We did not want to be applying a lot of water for the potential of runoff, because it sits on top of a hill, and you've got the Cahaba River two and a half miles away. And the environmental impact would have been devastating,” Chief Mcree said.
Brierfield crews are familiar with the plant. They have a manual telling them everything from the hazardous materials on site to the layout of the property. "We got maps of the plant, and you think you’re ready, but when the real deal happens, you get brain freeze sometimes,” Chief Mcree said.
Chief Mcree is happy everyone made it out alive, though some departments lost equipment. He says there are some lessons to be learned. "We have to go back and do an after-action review. What did we do? Right? What did we do wrong? What could we have done better and learn from this experience?” Chief Mcree said.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for first-degree burns. He's since been treated and released. Chief Mcree says he's doing fine.
Stella-Jones released a statement on the fire that had a discrepancy regarding an explosion. Firefighters said there was a blast, while the company said there was not: “On the evening of July 12, at approximately 9:20 PM, a fire broke out at our utility pole treating facility located in Brierfield, in Bibb County. No explosion occurred. Emergency responders were immediately notified and mobilized to address the incident. Fire marshals are managing the completion of the fire response. We are currently investigating the cause of the event and will be assessing the damage. We are grateful to report that no Stella-Jones employees ended up injured and we extend our thanks to the emergency personnel for their continued efforts.”
The state's fire marshal department will take care of it from here with the investigation.
Source: WVTM13, Stella-Jones