ATF investigates Columbus mill fire

Five pumpers surrounding the Bibb mill in Columbus poured thousands of gallons of water into the smoldering rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating a blaze that destroyed the historic Bibb Mill in Columbus, said to be one of Georgia's largest-ever stuctural fires.

The four-story, 750,000-square-foot brick textile mill on the Chattahoochee River closed in 1998 after a century of operations. Firefighters fought the blaze for eight hours Thursday morning.

The ATF's National Response Team, which investigated bombings of the World Trade Center in 1993 and the Oklahoma City federal building, was called in over the weekend by Columbus fire officials.

Its presence does not mean terrorism or arson is suspected.

"Our primary responsibility is to establish the cause of the fire," ATF spokesman Marc Jackson said.

Click here for more GPB News coverage and exclusive photos of the Bibb Mill fire.

Massive fire demolishes historic Columbus mill

Five pumpers surrounding the Bibb mill in Columbus poured thousands of gallons of water into the smoldering rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

In Columbus in western Georgia, an overnight fire gutted the historic Bibb textile mill and left fire officials and neighbors wondering as to the cause. There were no injuries, fire officials said.


Firefighters were unable to enter the smoking ruins of the Bibb Mill in Columbus the morning after the fire, due to heat, and falling debris, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Almost 70 firefighters and eleven fire vehicles fought the inferno in the quarter-mile long, red brick structure after receiving an alarm after midnight, according to Deputy Fire Chief, Greg Lang:

“At this time, we're still extinguishing hot spots; we're going to be here throughout the day, late in the evening and through the night, from just the amount of fire we had.”

Neighbors stood and watched, as several pumpers and crews cascaded water on patches of fire within the smouldering four-story ruins. One of them was veteran Columbus resident, Dorothy Tate:

“Oh... I feel like the city lost a very ... very good family member, since it's such a wonderful landmark.”

(Dave Bender)

The 750,000 square-foot Bibb Mill was built in 1900, alongside the Chattahoochee River near downtown. It was later renovated into shops and housed a flea market. An events center alongside the main structure was undamaged.

As southerly winds wafted cinders for several miles towards downtown Columbus, according to a newspaper report, firefighters poured sheets of water into the heart of the rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Bruce Toole is a local businessman who owns property across the street from the mill:

“A lot of people from Columbus grew up here, made their living here. It's probably going to be a little bittersweet for a lot of older people that retired from here, and this was their life – to ride by and see this thing gone.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco will assist in investigating the cause of the blaze.

(Dave Bender)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Columbus.

Fire Fighters Conserve Water

The ever-worsening drought may now affect some fire fighter training drills.

Ordinarily, rookie fire fighters are trained by burning abandoned houses. However, until the drought is over, simulations will have to make due for cities in the state’s driest areas. But, the cut backs may not be enough.

If it comes down to it, Whitfield County’s Fire Chief, Carl Collins, said drinking water will take priority over fighting fires.

“It will be hard to pull up on the scene and not put water on it regardless of how far it’s gone, but its one of them hard choices. It’s possible that it could come to that,” said Collins.

Most fire stations in North GA no longer wash their trucks. And many have already eliminated the twice annual fire-hydrant tests. The tests are required by law, and use 1500 gallons of water a minute.