Explosions cause damage but no injuries

GREENE COUNTY

  • Firefighters from several local counties coordinated their efforts to contain and control multiple fires Sunday evening at the Novelis facility alongside Greensboro’s Willow Run Road. No injuries were reported from the explosion and subsequent blaze. CONTRIBUTED
    Firefighters from several local counties coordinated their efforts to contain and control multiple fires Sunday evening at the Novelis facility alongside Greensboro’s Willow Run Road. No injuries were reported from the explosion and subsequent blaze. CONTRIBUTED
  • Smoke from the March 1 explosion and fire at Novelis could be seen from many miles around its location in Greensboro. CONTRIBUTED
    Smoke from the March 1 explosion and fire at Novelis could be seen from many miles around its location in Greensboro. CONTRIBUTED
  • Fire department crews — including this one from Putnam County — remained long after the Novelis fires were extinguished to ensure there were no post-event flare-ups. CONTRIBUTED
    Fire department crews — including this one from Putnam County — remained long after the Novelis fires were extinguished to ensure there were no post-event flare-ups. CONTRIBUTED

    Thunderous explosions at the Novelis Plant on Willow Run Road in Greensboro were reportedly heard by residents as far away as Siloam on March 1.

    The explosions damaged the aluminum smelting operation at Novelis but caused no injuries, according to Greene County Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Bashore.

    As of March 4, the state fire marshal’s office had taken over the investigation into the cause of the explosions.

    Bashore said the call to fire services came in around 5 p.m., and 16 employees were evacuated from the facility.

    The explosions caused significant fires that firefighters from Greene, Putnam, Morgan, and Oconee counties extinguished within a couple of hours.

    According to Bashore, there were no air quality issues caused by the fire and explosions. Most of the fires had been put out by 8 p.m.

    Greene County Fire and Rescue’s Battalion 1 responded to the emergency with engines 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, as well as three of the new tankers recently purchased by Greene County. Greene County EMS units M11, M12, M13, EMS1, and elements of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office were also on scene.

    Greene County units were assisted by mutual aid partners from Greensboro Fire Rescue, Putnam County Fire Rescue, Madison Fire Rescue, Morgan County Fire Rescue, and Oconee County Fire Rescue.

    In total, more than 60 firefighters and 10 EMS personnel were on scene working together. Crews operated until approximately midnight.

    There were no injuries to any fire rescue personnel.

    “We would also like to extend our appreciation to Morgan County Fire Rescue and Oconee County Fire Rescue for staffing our stations during the incident to ensure uninterrupted service to the citizens of Greene County,” Greene County officials said in a Facebook post.

    Greene County officials also expressed appreciation for Georgia Power and Tri-County Gas for responding to assist with utility control and remaining on scene to support mitigation efforts.

    They also recognized and thanked Greene County 911 for its exceptional work behind the scenes.

    “Greene County 911 dispatchers efficiently handled the initial calls, coordinated mutual aid, and ensured all necessary fire, EMS, and support resources were notified without delay,” according to a Facebook post from GCFR. “Large-scale incidents require seamless communication, and GC911 played a critical role in making this response smooth, organized, and successful. This was a complex and coordinated response, but through strong relationships and teamwork among all responding agencies and partners, the operation was carried out smoothly and mitigated in a highly professional manner. We are proud to serve this community and grateful for the partnerships that make responses like this possible.”

    Novelis
    Joe Bashore