Ranger – A large section of Foster’s Flea Market along Blairsville Highway was a total loss on Nov. 5 as a result of a structure fire.
A call for multiple fire departments and personnel went out at about 1:20 p.m. Fire departments arriving at the scene included Bellview, Copper Basin, Culberson, East Polk County, Hanging Dog, Hiwassee Dam, Martins Creek, Murphy, Peachtree, Ranger and Wolf Creek. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Forest Service, Cherokee County Emergency Management and N.C. Highway Patrol were also on the scene. Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. shut down power to the area, which included several surrounding businesses.
Large amounts of thick black smoke could be seen from a distance. The smoke at the scene was so thick that at times it nearly eclipsed the sun.
The fire was so large and hot that windows across the street at Decker’s Flea Market were hot to the touch.
Several loud popping sounds could be heard from within the fire, indicating items such as ammunition and propane tanks were exploding. Propelled shrapnel was found as far away as U.S. 64.
Flying debris from items that exploded were sent over one structure at Foster’s, landing at the entrance of another structure. That started an additional fire, which was quickly put out, sparing further destruction.
The scene was fast paced and loud, and vendors who sell items at the popular market gathered with bittersweet emotions, saddened by the loss of the structure and the items of their fellow vendors, yet relieved they were spared the fire’s fury.
“I’m very sad and very upset and it brings back memories, because I was here when the main building burned down on July 30, 2011. We all lost everything up here. It doesn’t have to be your stuff to hurt,” said Fred Grudak, a vendor of 21 years who also lives at the market. Everything he has was spared from the blaze this time.
Fire department water tankers left several times to refill, and aerial units sprayed water from above. Several hose lines were used simultaneously, but at times the wind made efforts even more difficult. About 5:30 p.m. a call went out for additional personnel to respond to the scene to assist, as firefighters grew exhausted.
A couple of people were heard asking why a fire hydrant closer to the flames was not being used. Chief Mike Taylor of the Ranger Fire Department said, the main hydrant used was closer to U.S. 64. The hydrant folks asked about was used later to supply water to an engine truck.
When two hydrants are close together, it can substantially decrease the water flow output from one of the hydrants. A 5-inch hose line at the main hydrant pumped about 500 gallons of water per minute.
The water pump station for the Foster’s fire is at a greater distance than some other areas, making the use of several hydrants together less effective.
About 100,000 gallons of water was used to bring the fire under control. A ladder truck and a water tanker from two different departments briefly made contact, causing moderate damage to the vehicles.
Generous businesses – including Dollar General, Ranger Express, Taqueria Mexicana and the manager of Foster’s Flea Market – donated water and other beverages to help hydrate firefighters.
Portions of the destroyed building could still be seen smoldering for a couple of days afterward.