07/17/2026
Good work by all agencies!
At approximately 2:55 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, the Sugar Loaf, Ellendale, and Taylorsville fire departments were dispatched to a structure fire in the 1600 block of Little River Church Road. Shortly after dispatch, a responding unit reported seeing a large column of smoke.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a working fire involving an abandoned chicken house. Due to the intensity of the fire and uncertainty about the contents of the building, crews initially used master-stream deck guns on the fire engines to apply water from the roadway.
The Hiddenite Fire Department responded with its ladder truck to provide an elevated water stream. The N.C. Forest Service also responded and requested a bulldozer to establish a fire line around the structure and help prevent the fire from spreading into a large area of kudzu.
There was no electrical service to the structure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Alexander County NC Fire Marshal's Office. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Alexander County thanks all the agencies and personnel who assisted, especially the Ladies Auxiliary for providing water and refreshments to emergency responders.
Agencies and resources on the scene included the Sugar Loaf, Ellendale, Taylorsville, and Hiddenite fire departments; N.C. Forest Service; Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office; Alexander County Emergency Management; Alexander County EMS; the Alexander County Rehab Trailer; and the Ladies Auxiliary.
