Firefighters extinguish fire in utility shed

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 30, 2013

CHINA GROVE — In less than three minutes, firefighters were able to extinguish a fire in a small utility shed on Linda Avenue.
The shed was located behind a home at 111 Linda Ave., not far from Enochville Elementary School. The shed was made of wood with the outside covered in aluminum siding and contained lawn equipment and tools. A cause has not been determined yet.
The homeowner, listed as Michael Isbell under the county tax records, declined to comment. He was at home at the time of the fire and was able to remove his dog, whose pen was near the shed.
Enochville Firefighter Drew Barkley, who was incident commander, said when firefighters arrived within a minute of the 10:56 a.m. call there was smoke coming from the shed.
In less than three minutes firefighters from Enochville and Atwell had the fire under control.
Firefighters from Landis, China Grove, Kannapolis and South Iredell were en route to provide mutual aid, but were not needed.
About 30 minutes after fire crews extinguished the fire, they were airing out the small building.
Barkley said there were toxic gases in the structure from the burning of the gas cans and other items inside the shed. The firefighters had a small industrial fan to blow air into the building.
There were a few melted plastic gas cans on the lawn in front of the shed. Another larger gas can sat just inside the charred doors of the shed. The Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.