MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

DANVILLE -- As a fire at the Dan River Inc. Long Mill complex continues this evening, some nearby residents have been evacuated, said Lt. John Henderson of the Danville Police Department.

Emergency Services Director Doug Young said the Salvation Army has been helping evacuated residents.

Fire Chief David Eagle said investigators are now sure the fire, which has destroyed one building of the Long Mill complex and is burning another, started in a pile of debris from the demolition of the buildings.

When firefighters responded to a call received at 4:22 p.m., the "entire pile of debris was already on fire and lapping up the building," Eagle said. The fire spread to adjacent buildings from the debris in a pile -- about 100 feet long by 8 feet tall -- of dried timber and scraps.

"It overwhelmed us pretty quick," Eagle said.

He said the building had no fire protection and sprinkler systems had been deactivated.

Emergency crews arrived half an hour later and residences on three streets were evacuated as a precautionary measure, he said. Businesses on nearby Riverside Drive have closed due to smoke in the area.

Eagle said he expects crews to work through the night and hopes rainstorms may offer some relief.

"I think mother nature can certainly help it. ...We welcome the rain but we hope the winds will stay away."

I've been the fire chief for a year, been in the department for over 30 years, and this is a pretty big fire," Eagle said. "We're fortunate that no one was in there."

Staff reports from the Danville Register & Bee