ACFR Chief concerned about repeated fires at Southern Fuelwood

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus is so frustrated by the recurring fires at Southern Fuelwood in Newberry that he briefly considered refusing to honor his mutual aid agreement with the Newberry Fire Department for fires at that facility but is now hoping that upcoming meetings will lead to safer conditions at the plant, both for employees and for firefighters.

Chief Theus told us that the two firefighters injured during the June 26 fire were the first to be injured while fighting a fire during his tenure as Chief, and he said the 10 active fires at the business in the past 27 months create a ” dangerous situation that is happening way too frequently.” Theus said 14 firefighting units were at the business for over three hours in the most recent fire. Devoting that many resources to one fire reduces local agencies’ availability to respond to other fires.

Theus said the conditions at the business also create a hazard for employees: the metal door that fell on a firefighter weighed over 500 pounds, and a forklift was needed to lift it off the injured firefighter. Theus told us that the fires happen in buildings called “kilns” that dry large quantities of firewood at a time, with firewood-sized logs stacked in crates that are 30 feet tall. He said that if the wood catches fire at any time, that quickly becomes a major fire with a lot of available fuel.

Theus also told us that there are no fire hydrants at the business because of its remote location.

Pat Post, the owner of Southern Fuelwood, told us he was “very appreciative of them helping us get the fire out” and added that he was “very sorry that two people were injured.”

Post explained that Florida Rule 5B-65 requires firewood manufacturers to heat the wood before retail distribution to kill pathogens and pests if they ship more than a specified amount, so although the kilns are a fire hazard, he has no choice about heating the firewood. He told us, “We have had some fires in the past; we’re working on getting a newer model fire suppression system in there.” 

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe told us a meeting has been scheduled for this week to discuss the problem and potential solutions: “These fires are way too frequent. We really have to work with the business owner to figure out what is happening or not happening at his business to create this situation. We need to make sure it’s as safe as possible for our first responders.”

Marlowe said the City might be willing to partner with Southern Fuelwood to run a water main out to the business so fire hydrants can be added.