Fire consumes building, contents at local roofing company – KWTX

MCGREGOR, Texas (KWTX) A fire that broke out early Tuesday afternoon in a metal building at a McGregor roofing materials plant continued to burn Tuesday night.

Smoke from the fire was visible at least 45 miles away.

The fire was reported at around 1:45 p.m. in a building at GAP Roofing at 1158 Bunker Rd. in McGregor.

About twelve employees were evacuated from the facility before the first firefighters arrived.

The roof of the building, in which asphalt-saturated roofing felt was stored, later collapsed.

It was too dangerous for firefighters to go inside, so officials said Tuesday night they were letting the fire burn out.

Firefighters were able to keep the flames from reaching asphalt tanks near the building, but were keeping a close eye on them, McGregor Fire Chief Marty Dominguez said.

There was no immediate concern that the tanks might explode, he said.

Jeffrey Mincy, EMS Director/Chief Paramedic with Coryell Memorial Healthcare System EMS, said the fire had died down significantly by nightfall, but at least two crews would be out there at all times to monitor the blaze and put water on the tanks to keep them cool.

Volunteer firefighters from McGregor, Coryell City, Oglesby, and Gatesville responded to the fire, as did firefighters from the City of Waco Fire Department.

Earlier in the day, crews were driving fire units into McGregor in order to fill tanks with water as they continued to battle the flames.

As the fire died down, less water was needed, so the rural hydrant system at the site was adequate, said Mincy.

Mincy said the building would be burning for days.

Officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were on scene Tuesday night evaluating the impact and potential hazards of the smoke caused by the materials being burned.

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Fire consumes building, contents at local roofing company - KWTX