As the fire at Gadsden Warehousing in Attalla burned into its 24th hour, firefighters from numerous departments continued fighting flames on Tuesday morning.
According to Attalla Fire Chief Robert Dillard, crews are still fighting the fire in a defensive stance. Four departments were using ladders to provide aerial coverage of the blaze because firefighters have not yet been able to enter the facility. Those departments were Attalla, Boaz, Rainbow City and Gadsden Fire Departments.
Many other departments are providing a tanker operations, bringing in water from offsite and filling large dumping tanks for those pumping water to use. Dillard said that at one point yesterday, as many as 40 tankers were shuttling water at once.
He said departments from across nine counties and as far away as Georgia have assisted with fighting the blaze.
"We have really been blessed with the outpouring of support from fire departments and police," he said on Tuesday, adding that the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency has served as a liaison and command post.
Organizations such as American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have been on site to provide drinks, food and air conditioning for firefighters.
The warehouse was used to store a number of products with a majority of it being paper products to be used in the production of paper plates. The fire began Monday around 12:30 p.m. while employees were gone to lunch.
By Tuesday morning, piles of paper plates and other materials could be seen burning through holes in the structure's exterior.
"We'll continue through the day with the same type of shuttle operations and we'll continue to bring tankers in with more water," Dillard said.
On Monday one firefighter received a small injury, but was treated on site and returned to fighting the fire. More than 30 firefighters have experienced heat exhaustion, but have received IVs from onsite medical personnel and have been able to continue fighting.
A request was sent from the EMA last night to receive help from the National Guard, which has access to military-sized tankers. Dillard said that request had to be cleared by Gov. Kay Ivey, and he had not received word on it as of Tuesday morning.
Residents and businesses in the area may experience water shortages because the hydrants in the vicinity have been emptied.
Attalla City Schools were closed on Tuesday due to the lack of water.
Alabama Highway 77 remains closed from Alabama Highway 11 to Case Avenue.
A press conference has been called for noon on Tuesday.
This story will be updated after the press conference.
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