HICKORY, N.C. --
Eyewitnesses said flames shot 30 feet into the air at the Rudisill Framing company Saturday morning in Hickory. The fire destroyed the building that was more than 100 years old.
Firefighters responded to a burglary alarm that went off around 12:30 a.m. at the business on Highland Avenue. They discovered smoke coming out of the building, and a fire spreading inside.
More than 30 firefighters from four different departments worked together to fight the fire. Large amounts of wood were stored inside the building along with machinery. By 6 a.m. Saturday, most of the flames were out, but the building was destroyed. The business had been there for about 25 years, and the building was more than 100 years old.
Firefighters have been on the scene all Saturday morning. The Catawaba County Fire Marshal told Eyewitness News that they have not been able to go inside the building because hot spots keeping popping up in the building. This has made it too dangerous for anyone to enter the building in order to determine the cause.
Rudisill Framing creates and frames furniture. Workers were scheduled for a shift on Saturday morning, but discovered their workplace had burned down. Firefighters said no one was hurt in the fire.
Gary Rudisill has been the owner of Rudisill Framing for 25 years. "That's 25 years of hard labor. But the Lord will replace it, I have faith in him," Rudisill said. He had insurance on the building and plans to rebuild.
Rudisill said a side-door may have been forced in. Investigators are taking a close look at that door.
