Shredded appliances on fire at DH Griffin demolition facility

UPDATE, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m.: The Greensboro Fire Department reports that they have so far been unable to determine the cause of the fire and continue to investigate in collaboration with company representatives.

ORIGINAL POST: A fire at DH Griffin Companies in southwest Greensboro is sending a black plume of smoke into the air at the demolition company's Hilltop Road headquarters and facility.

Deputy Chief Clarence Hunter with the Greensboro Fire Department said the material on fire is shredded household appliances. The fire department sent a hazardous materials unit to monitor the scene from the adjacent Beechcroft neighborhood, but Hunter said they "have not detected anything hazardous at this point.


The deputy chief said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

The plume could be seen from Wendover Avenue and at least as far away as Piedmont Triad International Airport. The wind blew a thick blanket of smoke across Hilltop Road at the Norfolk-Southern Railroad crossing that significantly reduced visibility. The smoke carried an acrid odor.

The fire department released a statement earlier this morning indicating that the fire is contained and there is no risk of it spreading.

Steve Gillen, general counsel for DH Griffin, monitored the scene at Hilltop Road. He said the company has no comment at this time other than that they're focused on getting the fire out.