LEICESTER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A barn fire that spread into nearby woods burned about 24 acres and destroyed two non-residential structures Tuesday before firefighters brought it under control, officials said.
The Leicester Fire Department was dispatched around 11 a.m. after receiving a report of a possible barn fire. Responding crews reported heavy smoke visible before arriving on scene, according to the department.
Firefighters found a barn fully involved upon arrival, with a second workshop behind the barn immediately threatened. Strong winds pushed the fire into the workshop and surrounding wooded area, causing rapid spread, officials said.
Additional tankers and personnel were requested, and the North Carolina Forest Service responded to establish containment lines around the woods fire. Strong winds caused the fire to jump those lines multiple times before crews, assisted by a Forest Service bulldozer, were able to secure containment and stop the fire’s forward progress.
Two nearby homes were endangered during the woods fire, but firefighters were able to protect both structures and prevent damage, officials said.
By 6 p.m., the fire was 100 percent contained. Crews with the North Carolina Forest Service remained on scene for monitoring operations.
No injuries were reported.
Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including fire departments from Leicester, West Buncombe, Enka-Candler, French Broad, Asheville, Reems Creek, Skyland, Weaverville, Woodfin, Barnardsville, Fairview, Reynolds, Jupiter, North Canton and Clyde, along with the North Carolina Forest Service, Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office and Buncombe County EMS.
Fire officials thanked responding agencies for their mutual aid and coordinated response.