Thomasville firefighters respond to fire alarm at business

Published: Friday, July 18, 2014 at 7:09 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2014 at 11:56 a.m.

A sprinkler system saved a manufacturing plant on High Tech Boulevard in Thomasville from sustaining major damage Friday, said Robbie Binkley, battalion chief for the Thomasville Fire Department.

Firefighters with the Thomasville Fire Department responded to Advanced Motorsports Coatings at 17 High Tech Boulevard at 5:06 a.m. Josh Myers, shift supervisor with Davidson County 911, said firefighters initially were dispatched to a fire alarm at the business.

No flames were visible upon arrival of firefighters. Binkley said firefighters didn't see smoke until they opened the door to the building.

Rocky Watts, division chief of code enforcement/fire marshal for the TFD, said the plant housed 100 gallons of sulfuric acid mixed with water in a chemical open system. He explained the fire was around the system. Watts said it appears the fire was a result of a shortage in the electrical wiring in the heating element of a chemical holding tank.

Binkley and Watts each noted they don't believe there was anything suspicious with the fire.

There was no structural damage and minimal smoke damage, the battalion chief reported. A fire destroyed the same business 10 years ago, at which time it did not have a sprinkler system, he said.

The sprinkler system kept the fire in check and saved the building, Binkley said. Watts said the company cleans racing parts and places a coating on them.

Davidson County Emergency Management and the Davidson County Fire Marshals Office assisted Thomasville firefighters. No injuries were reported.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick

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Thomasville firefighters respond to fire alarm at business