Vacant structure fires keep area firefighters busy

HALEYVILLE  - The largest fire in Haleyville in recent history - bringing  the most response since the 2011 Bama Textile fire nine years ago this month - resulted in 10 fire departments facing the long, grueling task of battling a blaze Sept. 8, at a vacant facility that once housed the offices of Reece Realty, as well as Boshell Chiropractic Clinic.
Firefighters spent at least six hours on the scene at the large fire, which consumed a two-floor structure that had been vacant the past three to four years, surrounded by a  heavy growth of hedge, facing Highway 13 near J&J Auto Parts, city officials said.
Firefighters began responding to the structure fire shortly after 3 p.m. In all, departments from Haleyville, Delmar, Bear Creek, Lynn, Ashridge, Pebble, Craft, Hackleburg, Brilliant and Winfield worked in teams, relieving each other at the massive blaze.
The concern was not just extinguishing the blazing structure, but also the danger the fire posed to nearby houses, as well as traffic on Highway 13, which was reduced from four to two lanes due to fire and police vehicles blocking some lanes.
One of the fire trucks positioned on Highway 13 was the ladder truck from the Haleyville Fire Department, which extended its tall ladder into the air so firefighters could climb up and spray water downward onto the flaming roof of the structure.