AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Augusta Fire Department is reporting that multiple firefighters have been assessed and treated for medical issues and injuries following an active fire call Monday morning at Simply Self Storage facility at 2134 Gordon Highway.
At approximately 9:45 a.m., an off-duty firefighter spotted smoke coming from the Simply Self Storage on Gordon Highway and took it upon himself to alert the business and inspect for himself. He and the manager found the south end of a row of storage units in flames. He then called 911.
Crews were on-scene arrived on-scene before 10 a.m. and had the fire contained by 11:30 a.m.
Four firefighters have been transported to the hospital for further evaluation. One of the hospitalized fire fighters was one with the first fire crew on-scene and had been working the fire for close to two hours.
The firefighter was transported to a local hospital by emergency crews after on-scene treatment and was believed to be suffering from smoke inhalation upon initial assessment, but was transported to the hospital at approximately 11:30 a.m. in order to be fully evaluated.
In total, 5 were transported to the hospital and 3 evaluated on scene. Of the 5 transported to the hospital, 3 have been released.
Injuries vary from smoke inhalation to muscle strains.
The Augusta Fire Department advises that there were 70 storage units in the affected row, approximately 50 of the 76 units were damaged.
The units on the South end experienced the most damage due to their proximity to the fire.
They will be extensive searches of the units in the row where the fire started in order to make sure that there are no active fires or hot spots.
Those concerned about the contents of their storage unit are cautioned against trying to access their unit, as the scene is currently inaccessible.
The Augusta Fire Department has spoken to the management staff of Simply Safe, and there are plans to contact those with the affected units.
The cause of the fire has not been determined as of yet.
