Mills River Fire Department substation destroyed, vehicles lost

A fire at Mills River Fire Department's Station No. 2 in North Carolina destroyed the building and all equipment inside, including a brush truck intended for deployment to aid in California wildfires. The fire was reported around 1:30 a.m. on January 17, and as the station was unmanned at the time, no injuries occurred. Firefighters from surrounding areas responded to the incident, but the structure was fully engulfed by the time they arrived. The cause of the fire is under investigation by local and state fire marshals, with various potential factors being considered. The total loss of the station, which had only recently moved to a new facility, is a significant blow to the local volunteer fire department. Officials expressed their sympathy for the firefighters who have faced challenges in the past, particularly during Tropical Storm Helene.