Planck Vision Systems: Mills River Fire Department Station Burns Down, Estimated Loss of $1 Million

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NEWS

On January 17, 2024, a fire broke out at Mills River Fire Department Station No. 2, located at 100 Fanning Fields Road in Mills River, North Carolina. The fire started in the early morning hours around 1:30 a.m., and despite efforts to save the building, it was completely destroyed. Fire Marshal Kevin Waldrup confirmed that all contents of the station were lost, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Deputy Chief Gary Livingston, who was deeply affected by the loss, shared that he was present when the station was originally built in 1997. “It’s kind of gut-wrenching this morning for me,” said Livingston. The station, which was initially built for $204,000, would now cost over $1 million to replace. The fire has had a significant emotional impact on the fire department, as it was a place that many had helped to build and had served as a cornerstone of the community for years.

The fire department responded quickly, but the destruction was overwhelming, and all equipment within the station was lost. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The loss is not only emotional for the team but also financial, with the estimated rebuilding costs likely to exceed $1 million. The station had been a vital part of the Mills River community since its opening and was built with limited resources back in 1997.

For fire departments and critical facilities like these, early detection is key to minimizing such devastating losses. Planck Vision Systems’ thermal imaging cameras can provide 24/7 monitoring, helping detect potential hazards and enabling swift responses before fires escalate. By identifying temperature anomalies early, our technology can prevent the loss of critical infrastructure like the Mills River Fire Department station.

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source：wlos.com