By KATIE HURST/ Staff Writer

HARPERSVILLE — A fire destroyed a building at Stallion Fabricating, Inc. off U.S. 280 in Harpersville Sept. 23 and appears to have been started accidentally, according to David Latimer, director of Harpersville public safety.

The fire appeared to be caused by grinding or cutting that was being done inside the building, Latimer said.

Firefighters responded to the scene at approximately 4:30 p.m. based on a 911 call reporting flames coming from the building, Latimer said.

When responders arrived, flames reached 15-20 feet above the building, he said.

Several fire agencies responded to the scene, including Four Mile, Vandiver, Vincent and Cahaba Valley.

“We were basically calling all the help we could muster,” Latimer said.

Both sides of U.S. 280 were briefly blocked off because of possible danger to drivers.

“There were oxygen bottles inside and we didn’t know exactly what we were dealing with inside the building,” Latimer said. “We were concerned that a propane or oxygen bottle might explode and endanger a driver.”

Latimer said the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was helpful in controlling traffic, allowing firefighters to focus containing the fire.

The building was destroyed by the fire, Latimer said. The fire was completely involved by the time the firefighters arrived.

“Basically the only thing we could do was resume a defensive response to prevent fire spread,” he said.

No one was injured during the blaze. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion and dehydration after the fire was under control, Latimer said. He has made a full recovery.

The building was owned by Sam Lynn and was located on the west side of SCS Steel Fabricating Inc.