CULLMAN, Ala. – Around 3:40 a.m. Thursday, Cullman Fire Rescue, supported by the Vinemont-Providence Volunteer Fire Department, Cullman Police Department, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and Cullman EMS, responded to a fire at Professional Coatings, 1807 Third Ave. SE (Old Hanceville Highway) in south Cullman. The blaze caused multiple explosions in what were reported to be chemical storage containers in a building to the southwest of the main building on the property, forcing the closure of streets around the property. Because the incident involved chemicals, the Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) also responded.
The fire was under control by 4:30 a.m., though firefighters stayed on the scene into the daylight hours, checking for hot spots in the remains of the building.
Cullman Fire Chief Brian Bradberry reported to The Tribune that one firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion, but no responders were injured.
The fire is under investigation, and Cullman County EMA is trying to determine what chemicals were involved in the fire. Professional Coatings is a paint and coating manufacturer.
Cullman firefighters battle a large blaze in a building at Professional Coatings early Thursday morning. (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)
