CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. — A fire ripped through a major plastics manufacturing plant in Carroll County, collapsing the entire 80k-foot structure.
Flames started at Superior Plastics in Carrollton around 8 p.m. Thursday night. Officials said the blaze spread quickly. Crews were still working to put out hot spots 12 hours later.
Police confirmed that only two employees were inside the plant at the time and they both got out safely.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at the scene, where dozens of firefighters continued to douse the structure with water by early afternoon on Friday.
Fire officials say lightning was spotted in the area and may have been a factor in the blaze.
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Gehlbach was at the scene as some of the factory's employees stopped by and looked on in disbelief.
Employees off camera said none of the building is protected by sprinklers.
Gehlbach spoke with a supervisor, who said that more than 100 people work at the plant and that his employees are concerned about their jobs and if the company plans to rebuild.
A neighbor who filmed the blaze as it happened told Gehlbach it looked "apocalyptic."
"You could see the sides falling down, like the walls and the roof caving in. making big bangs," Christian Staples told Gehlbach. "I've never seen anything like it.
Fire investigators won't be able to start looking for a cause until the fire is completely out and the building is safe. The company manufactures plastic and molded products like playground equipment, boats, kayaks and commercial sun shades and shelters.