AUB Response to Downtown Fire

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

July 1, 2017

ATHENS--AUB has been active securing utilities, providing water for firefighting, and supporting the needs of other first responders since the first early-morning calls regarding the fire that affected downtown Athens.

AUB standby supervisor Kevin Goins received a call at approximately 5:30 a.m. notifying AUB of the fire and requesting that utility crews cut power and gas to the area.

Power crews cut power by opening strategic transformer stations feeding the area, which include the affected and surrounding buildings of the block.

The Robert E. Lee building has since had power restored at approximately 10:08 a.m. No power has been returned to the affected businesses and buildings of the fire at this time.

AUB natural gas crews shut off flow to all individual meters in the affected area and surrounding buildings upon arrival to the scene. AUB will await further discussions with officials with the Athens Fire Department regarding natural gas restoration in the area.

The AUB water division throughout the response pumped at a rate of some 4,100 gallons of water per minute by using both pumps at the utility's water plant off of Old Niota Road along with aid from increased flow from the Hiwassee Utilities Commission (HUC).

The utility is currently pumping at 3,200 gallons per minute, with HUC pumping 1,500 gallons per minute.

AUB's supply system is operating steadily at 76 percent of capacity, which is wholly adequate with no concerns. The utility has personnel on-site to monitor and measure hydrants to ensure adequate water pressure while protecting the water distribution system. AUB continues to update fire officials while doing this.

AUB will maintain a presence of supporting divisional representatives on-site to help monitor and oversee utility related support needs.

The thoughts and prayers of all of the people of AUB are with those affected by the fire, the first response teams, firefighters, police officers, and volunteers working the scene and providing sustenance and support to the workers.

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