Dozens of first responders from DeKalb County, Tennessee, were called to a fire at an industrial structure

(Courtesy: DeKalb County Fire Department)

DEKALB COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A fire broke out in DeKalb County Friday evening, leaving a machine shop severely damaged.

The DeKalb County Fire Department said it responded to a report of an industrial structure fire at Liberty Machine Shop along East Main Street in Liberty shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28.

Authorities said a neighbor spotted flames coming from the roof and called 911, prompting a rapid response from Liberty, Temperance Hall, Main and Cookeville Highway stations.

When crews arrived on scene, they said they found heavy flames and smoke coming from the front of the building near the roofline. They launched an aggressive interior attack and quickly contained the fire.

However, due to the age of the building and the type of construction, firefighters had to “conduct significant overhaul operations to extinguish fire extensions between the tongue-and-groove ceiling, dense insulation and metal roof,” according to the department.

After a prolonged operation, first responders said they were able to extinguish the fire, ventilate the building and conduct rescue operations to help protect machinery and other property inside the facility.

DeKalb County officials said they requested additional personnel from the Alexandria and Smithville fire departments due to the long operating period, as well as the physical demands placed on crew members. Around forty firefighters then went to the scene.

Additionally, members of DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services, DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, DeKalb County Fire Rehabilitation Unit, Caney Fork Electric Company and Middle Tennessee Natural Gas reportedly provided assistance at the scene, along with several members of the public who offered drinking water to first responders.

First responders said the interior front portion of the building sustained significant fire damage, with the fire originating in the ceiling area, but other parts of the facility sustained moderate damage. caused by smoke and water.

According to authorities, no one was in the building when the fire was reported. Additionally, no injuries were reported during the incident.

According to firefighters, the cause of the fire had not yet been determined on Saturday, June 29.