Warrenton, N.C.-Nearly the entire town of Warrenton, population 960, was evacuated for nearly 24 hours because of dense smoke from a fierce fire that destroyed a Southern States Farm and Garden location earlier this month. “We evacuated a five-block area including both residential and businesses, and that order remained in effect until the next day due to the amount of smoke in the area,” according to Volunteer Fire Chief Walter Gardner, who is also town mayor. “At 6 p.m. Thursday Feb. 3 the hazmat team on the scene, as well as EPA, ruled the air quality had improved and we changed the order from a mandatory to a voluntary evacuation,” Gardiner said. Fire crews had shut off water operations, but maintained coverage on the county library located nearby. Approximately 25 families were displaced for the night, and 20 businesses, including three restaurants, a bank, and the county courthouses, were shut down. Although Warren County opened a shelter only a few people took advantage, since most others found family and friends to stay with. The Red Cross arranged for hotel housing for two couples. “That pretty much emptied the town, including my insurance office,” Gardiner noted. He said the Southern States business was completely destroyed, with the exception of the fuel and heating business that adjoined the warehouse area. Because of the burning fertilizer, pesticides, and other farm inputs, the carbon monoxide level from the smoke was so high it became a real health concern, he reported. The smoke continued until last Monday, Feb. 7, when the fire department was given permission to go back to wet down any areas still smoking. The voluntary evacuation order was lifted Monday evening, but downtown businesses did open on Friday, Feb. 4. Southern States owner Karl Hehl wasn’t available, but reports indicated origin of the fire was probably accidental.
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