NEW CREEK, W.Va. (AP) -- More than 100 volunteer firefighters were needed to contain a fire that destroyed the dry kiln plant of Kessel Lumber in New Creek, Mineral County.
Firefighters expect damages from the 4 a.m. Saturday fire to reach several hundred thousand dollars.
The kiln is where green wood is placed and heated to remove moisture. The amount of wood, plus the wind, made the fire spread fast, firefighters said.
Dusty Amtower, a captain with the New Creek Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire initially was not evident, although smoke was coming out of the building's eaves. ``First, we got everything opened up and everything exposed,'' he said. ``That's when the wind cranked up and it really took off.''
No one was injured. The state fire marshal's office will investigate the cause of the fire.
