RAIFORD, Fla. – Firefighters in Bradford County responded to a three-building fire near the New River Correctional Facility in Raiford, according to Michael Heeder with Bradford County Emergency Management.
"This fire is located in a vacant area in the rear of New River East, located across the street from the New River Correctional Facility," Heeder said. The main facility is on 185th Street near State Road 16 in Raiford.
One building is a total loss. The roof collapsed, flattening the building.
The second unit was damaged, but Heeder said firefighters were able to stop the forward progression of the fire.
The third building was salvaged with minor damage.
The units were wood-framed structures, about 40 feet wide and 200 feet long. The units contained plumbing materials and maintenance supplies.
Firefighters with the Bradford County Fire Rescue were still working the fire early Tuesday morning.
The State Fire Marshal was called in to investigate. It was unknown whether the fire was started intentionally.
"As of Tuesday morning, we're looking at smoldering hot spots we're dealing with. We don't want to sir up the area too much with a lot of water because we want the State Fire Marshal to come in, and if there's any evidence that needs to be salvaged, we want them to focus on that," said Heeder.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion and fatigue.