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With smoke continuing to emanate from a woodworking plant in Albemarle, members of the city’s fire department got an assist from the North Carolina Forest Service.

Albemarle Fire Chief T. Pierre Brewton was on the scene Friday afternoon as firefighters continued work at the A & H Millwork plant located in the downtown area.

The plant caught fire at approximately 7 p.m. Thursday with flames shooting well over the tree line and smoke visible for miles.

According to the chief, the scene is still an active fire but is contained.

“We’re still in the firefighting mode,” Brewton said. “Once we complete that, then we can move on with the investigation.”

The chief added the helicopter from the Forest Service was “assisting with fire suppression.”

The fire is contained, Brewton said, adding the public “will see visible smoke for the next few days due to unreachable areas, so do not be alarmed.”

Heavy machinery is also busy at work removing debris, he said, to allow firefighters to reach the fire for extinguishment.

“A fire crew will remain on scene until the threat of fire is dismissed,” Brewton said.

The chief also said they “have no working knowledge of anyone being in the building at the time of the blaze.”

For more on this story, visit: https://www.thesnaponline.com/2021/08/05/woodworking-business-in-albemarle-catches-fire/

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