GAINESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT (GFD) NEWS RELEASE:
“The Gainesville Fire Department…responded immediately around 5:40 pm on Saturday April
6th, following a report of heavy smoke coming from the roof top of the new construction area for the
north tower expansion (at Northeast Georgia Medical Center).
GFD responded three stations with a total of twenty personnel for the reported incident; crews found active fire to construction debris spread across the entire second floor roof top. GFD utilized one of their aerial ladder trucks…to provide the initial extinguishment while crews checked the surrounding areas for fire extension.
The fire was controlled within 20 minutes of arrival, with crews remaining on scene until 7:20 pm cleaning up and assisting with the initial investigation by the Fire Marshal.
Moderate to heavy winds contributed to the fast spread of the fire among construction materials and debris.
GFD Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating the cause of the fire, hospital and construction
officials are providing full cooperation. No patients or hospital staff required evacuation due to the
remote location of the fire.”
(GFD photo)