WOODVILLE – A massive fire broke out over the weekend at a Woodville tire facility and drew a response from nearly 40 different fire departments from around the region.
The fire began on the afternoon of Saturday, August 30, and according to authorities, was the result of lightning striking a tree near the Local Tire Disposal business on the south end of Woodville. County officials called for an industrial emergency response to combat the blaze, which affected two acres, and was 80% extinguished as of Sunday, according to the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
According to the county’s emergency management coordinator John Settlocker, US Fire and Pump Hazmat remain on the scene, working the tires, and the smoke level is decreasing.
Settlocker added that the air quality in the area is good, and that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will continue monitoring it.
The fire drew a response from 36 different fire crews from the region, as well as personnel from the EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the American Red Cross and several other first responders. A stretch of US 69 near the site was closed to traffic by 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, and not reopened until about 5 p.m. the next day.
Officials have said that no structures were damaged in the fire, although one nearby building was under threat of fire.
One point that the county’s emergency officials wanted to make to the public was the community-wide effort it took to take care of the many first responders who were in the area. Settlocker noted several restaurants, including Wild Bill’s Grill, Elijah’s Café and Becky Graham with the Bulldog Café for providing food for emergency personnel.
Settlocker also noted the Red Cross participation, as they were on site since Saturday night, helping to feed and keep responders hydrated. The Fellowship Church, which is located near the site, also helped with fruit, snacks and drinks, Settlocker said, and offered the church as a cooling center.
“It takes a community support and we really do appreciate it,” he said.
One resident who lives near the scene expressed concern about the methods used to combat the blaze. Will McCluskey, who fought fires in the Merchant Marines, saw the heavy condensation released into the air from the fire being fought with water.
“Chemicals were raining down on cars,” he said. “Everything is running off into the ground with the fire being extinguished with water.”
McCluskey also said the lack of respiratory equipment on site for the first responders will likely cause health problems.
