Authorities: Stay Away From Mill

The fire at the General Western Cotton Mill in Douglasville continues to burn, mostly underneath the rubble and debris. However, open flames periodically break through to the surface. The site continues to be very unsafe and volatile. The volume of smoke has diminished but is still billowing northward from the site. Bankhead Highway/US Highway 78 adjacent to the Mill site is open, and the smoke is no longer a traffic hazard. The side streets-Hagin Street and Courtland Street-adjacent to the Mill site continue to be closed. These are the access points for the which continues to monitor the site. The Brown Street railroad crossing directly across Bankhead Highway from the Mill site is closed.

Saturday night’s and Sunday’s rains have helped to diminish the open flames but the fire is now underneath the surface and burning years of debris and demolition. The Douglas County Fire/EMS Investigator is monitoring the site and will enter it to begin the investigation when it is safe to do so, and this is not anticipated until at least some time today, and may be later due to the conditions.

Residents are requested to stay away from the site as it is unsafe.