July 13, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-33) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO 2ND ALARM BUILDING FIRE Mobile firefighters responded to a building fire located at 1524 Azalea Road on Thursday afternoon, July 13, 2006. An employee of the business, SOLA – Safety Controls Group, reported the fire at approximately 4:28 p.m. SOLA is an industrial supply business that handles cascade systems (compressed air) and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) which are products commonly used by firefighters in fires to protect their breathing. When firefighters arrived they reported heavy smoke and flames and requested a 2nd alarm assignment. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control quickly. The fire appears to have originated in an upper front corner storage area above the business office area in the large metal building. The employee told Mobile Fire Investigators she heard a loud explosion above her office and went to investigate the noise and discovered heavy smoke near the ceiling in the warehouse/workshop area. There was heavy smoke damage near the ceiling level and water damage in the office area below. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Damage is estimated at $100 thousand. No injuries were reported. Engines 8, 9, 16, 19, trucks 17, 24, rescue 23 and District 2 Chief Randy Smith responded. ###