ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville Fire Department crews returned Wednesday morning to the scene of a recent warehouse fire at 1616 Patton Ave. after smoldering debris rekindled. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and have since cleared the scene.

The original fire, which broke out July 7 at a Goodwill Industries warehouse, required mutual aid support because of insufficient water supply from nearby hydrants.

The building was fully involved when fire crews arrived, Asheville Fire Department Communications Specialist John Harbin said.

“The bottom line is that while we had a water supply, it was not sufficient for the water flow requirements,” Harbin said.

Mutual aid was “an operational necessity,” he said.

“The fire flow required for that building was more than we were able to obtain from the hydrant. As a result, we had to call for the tankers,” Harbin said.

According to a report from West Buncombe Assistant Chief Jared Gudger, a total of 207,900 gallons of water was shuttled by tankers to the scene.

Gudger’s tally includes:

  • T-20 – Woodfin – 2,850 gallon tanker, hauled 34,200 gallons
  • T-11 – Riceville – 1,800 gallon tanker, hauled 25,200 gallons
  • T-16 – Jupiter – 1,500 gallon tanker, hauled 18,000 gallons
  • T-18 – Leicester – 1,800 gallon tanker, hauled 27,000 gallons
  • T-12 – Asheville – 2,000 gallon tanker, hauled 24,000 gallons
  • T-23 – Garren Creek – 2,000 gallon tanker, hauled 26,000 gallons
  • T-9 – Reynolds – Pumping from drop tanks to various AFD engines and aerials
  • T-14 – Reems Creek – 1,500 gallon tanker, hauled 22,500 gallons
  • T-13-2 – North Canton (Haywood County) 2,000 gallon, tanker hauled 16,000 gallons
  • T-19 – French Broad – 1,500 gallon tanker, hauled 15,000 gallons

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina said the affected warehouse and adjacent trailers were used to store donated items intended for resale in local Goodwill stores. The proceeds from those sales support the organization’s job training and education programs.

“We are fully cooperating with local authorities and fire investigators,” Goodwill said in a statement. “We are grateful that only property was damaged.”

Officials are still assessing the damage and investigating the cause of the blaze.

“In the days ahead, we will spend time assessing the impact of this loss. We want to assure the community that we will continue to offer the employment and education services that help local people each day,” the statement from Goodwill said.