ASHLAND PLANT FIRE Officials Say Cause Of Plant Fire Was Likely Demolition Crew
Reported by: Mamie Buoy
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Also Contributing: Tiersa Davis
Reported: Dec. 31, 2012 3:47 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 3, 2013 12:41 PM EST
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Ashland
, Boyd County
, Kentucky
Kentucky fire officials believe the blaze at a former coke plant that was set to be demolished may have been accidentally caused by the demolition crew.
The fire started on Monday afternoon at the former AK Steel coke plant in the 3800 block of Winchester Avenue in Ashland. Battalion Chief Bob McKeon of the Ashland Fire Department said the fire was likely caused by the demolition crew using a cutting torch, and some of the material caught fire.
Access to the fire was difficult because water had been shut off to the plant. Water was shuttled to the location by Westwood and England Hill Volunteer Fire Departments to keep the fire cooled, but fire crews decided the best plan was to let the fire burn out, McKeon said. The fire eventually burned out on Tuesday.
There were no injuries reported.
Firefighters responded Monday afternoon to a blaze at the former coke plant in Ashland, Ky.
An emergency dispatcher said flames were visible at the former plant, located in the 3800 block of Winchester Avenue.
The plant is no longer in operation, and it was in the process of being demolished. No one was in the building when the fire broke out.
Firefighters from the Ashland and Westwood fire departments responded to the call.
Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates on this story.
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Mamie Buoy
