Feb. 26--Three fire departments and other emergency personnel were dispatched around 6 a.m. Monday to a fire at a Harrogate business, located at 663 Londonderry Road.
According to officials, a neighbor heard a large explosion and looked out to find the roof of Hunley Repair Shop already collapsed with the building in flames. The building was the former home of Imperial Trucking.
Seven fire trucks, the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department and Claiborne County EMS and EMA responded to the scene, according to Harrogate Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Davis.
A second large explosion occurred as the firefighters were setting up their hoses but no one was injured.
"It was the largest explosion that I have personally ever seen, complete with a large mushroom cloud," Davis said. "There were also a few more minor explosions as we fought the blaze."
Hunley Repair Shop has been owned and operated by Jimmy Hunley for over 22 years.
The business primarily mounted different types of tanks to truck frames.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but was to be investigated after the building cooled down.
There were several vehicles damaged from the explosion including one a large truck the business was working on, a jet-ski or boat, a Dodge truck, Ford Mustang and a Chevy Blazer.
The Harrogate Volunteer Fire Department was the lead department, with mutual aid coming from the Cumberland Gap Volunteer Fire Department and the Speedwell Volunteer Fire Department.
The Claiborne County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security also responded.
Copyright 2013 - Middlesboro Daily News, Ky.
