CHENANGO COUNTY – Late yesterday morning, the Norwich Fire Department – with mutual aid from the Sherburne Fire Department and Chenango County Bureau of Fire – responded to a small fire at Chobani headquarters on state Highway 320 in Norwich. Later in the evening, heavy rainfall swept through the lower portion of the county resulting in flood conditions.
At approximately 10:47 a.m. yesterday, the Norwich Fire Department responded to a call for a commercial building fire at Chobani headquarters located at 147 state Highway 320. The Sherburne Aerial truck also responded as per the county’s mutual aid agreement. Upon arrival, first responders discovered copious amounts of smoke billowing from the rear section of the building, said authorities. Contractors, in the process of gutting a segment of the structure while using a welding torch, had cut through a pipe coated in a petroleum-based antifreeze, which authorities believe had originally been applied to prevent the pipes from freezing. The chemical subsequently ignited causing the wall behind it to catch fire. At first, those present attempted to douse the flame themselves. Chobani security officers quickly evacuated the building and secured the area. No injuries were reported.
Once on the scene, firefighters made short work of the blaze, the fire under control in approximately five to ten minutes. Though the flame was quickly contained, smoke from the fire spilled out into the main part of the structure and first reponders had to utilize smoke ejectors – large fans – to clear the interior.
“The Chobani security officers did a great job evacuating the building and getting the area secured,” said Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo. “We worked really well together. It was a run-of-the-mill fire, everyone responded quickly, and we were in and out.”
Late yesterday evening, approximately one to two inches of rain fell on the southern portion of the county. As a result of the heavy rainfall, some minor flash flooding was reported in the areas of Coventry, Afton and Greene. Water rolling down a hill in Coventry caused complications for one home owner when the foundation of a state Highway 235 residence was compromised. The building’s foundation, which was being worked upon, was unable to stop the flowing water from flooding into the home’s basement. The Coventry Fire Department was called in and subsequently assisted the home owner in mitigating the water running into the basement.
Authorities cautioned county residents that there is a chance of similar conditions arising later tonight which may impact the same areas which were affected Monday evening. At this point, however, it is too early to tell for certain where the approaching system will set up, leaving the possibility it may bypass the county all together.