A mechanical failure is believed to be the source of an explosive Wednesday night blaze at a firewood company in White County.
About 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to the commercial fire at Southern Legacy Wood Products, formerly known as Mount Yonah Lumber at 1605 Helen Highway.
"On scene, firefighters found a fully-involved fire of a 40-by-40 by 20-foot-high metal building that was filled to the roof with firewood being processed,” said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy.
Murphy said the company processes firewood to be sold by kiln drying it.
"The origin of the fire was determined to be the kiln itself that was full of firewood, which caused explosions resulting in the metal roof and other portions of the building to ‘blow-off’,” Murphy said.