Fire Destroys Hundreds of Junk Cars in Toccoa

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

Authorities are still trying to determine what sparked a fire at a Stephens County recycling plant Tuesday that destroyed 300 junk cars.

It happened about 11a yesterday at the Carters Royal Dispos-All recycling plant on Rock Creek Road.

Crews from Big Smith, Shiloh, and Eastanollee Volunteer Fire Departments responded to blaze, which took hours to put out.

Big Smith Fire Chief Jonathan Jordan said the vehicles were located towards the back of the property, which made it difficult to get water on the blaze from the nearest fire hydrant.

Jordan said that firefighters could not get hand lines back to the fire through the junk cars, so all operations were done with a ladder truck.

The blaze also burned a nearby building, leveled a shed, and ruined numerous car parts.

Rock Creek Road was blocked for most of the day in the area as firefighters worked to put the fire out.  Firefighters were on the scene until after 4 p.m.

Jordan said the official cause of the fire remains undetermined and is still under investigation.  He did say, however, that the fire was accidental and is not considered suspicious.