Kingsway Christian Books and
Gifts was just one of the buildings which quickly filled
with smoke during the Ponder Tire fire on Monday night.
Photo by Dwight Hayes
December 18,
2007
A late night fire did
extensive damage to the service bay area of Ponder Tire
Monday night. In addition, most all of the businesses
in Northgate Shopping Center suffered smoke from the blaze.
Firemen were called to the fire just before midnight Monday
evening. The fire had already vented through the roof
when firefghters arrived on the scene but firefighters were
able to quickly bring the fire under control.
According to Arab Fire Chief Ricky Phillips, the cause of
the fire may have been caused by an electrical short.
The main area of the fire was located near the electrical
panel. An insurance investigator was expected early thi sweek.
Smoke from
the blaze spread quickly throughout the adjoining
businesses. Phillips said that a common attic created
by the building facade caused the smoke to spread through
the other buildings but that a block firewall between Ponder
Tire and Kingsway Christian Books helped to contain the
spread of the fire itself.
Fire units
from Brindlee Mountain Fire, Guntersville Fire, 4-C Fire and
Ruth Fire departments responded
to the scene to assist with the ventilation and cleanup
operations from the fire. No one was injured in the
blaze.
