A junkyard fire sparked near Robins Air Force Base. Two fire departments tackled the blaze with 10,000 gallons of water and 250 gallons of foam

WARNER ROBINS — Two emergency agencies joined forces to tackle a junkyard fire in Warner Robins on July 21.

According to the Houston County Fire Department, around 5 p.m., they and Robins Air Force Base Fire responded to a fire at 11128 Hawkinsville Road, just north of the base. Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner said the base’s specialty equipment saved the day.

According to Stoner, the fire broke out in a crushed-car storage area, discovered by salvage yard workers. He estimated over 20 vehicles caught fire in an area spanning 2,000 square feet. 

The site was located just south of the Echeconnee Creek Wildlife Management Area. Stoner confirmed that the nearby woods were not threatened by the fire.

Once crews arrived on scene, Houston County Fire requested equipment from Robins Air Force Base. The base brought a crash truck, a specialized vehicle for flight-line firefighting designed to carry larger water tanks and foam.

Robins Air Force Base’s social media said the crew used 10,000 gallons of water and 250 gallons of foam to suppress the blaze.

A comment on Robins’ social media post theorized that a vape was left in a car and exploded.

Stoner said in an interview that the exact cause of the fire is under investigation and may never be known. Junkyard cars are stripped before being crushed, but a flammable object in a glove box or under seats could have been overlooked.

“[Investigators] will utilize anything they can to make a determination, whether it’s bystander statements or video footage, anything they can get a hold of to make a determination. There’s also a good chance that it’s going to be undetermined because of the number of possibilities that exist for what could have started it,” Stoner said.

Houston County has jurisdiction over fires near the base but not within the base. But the county and base have an aid agreement that provides assistance for Highway 247, and any time foam or other specialized equipment is needed, Stoner said.

He said Robins’ specialized equipment assisted greatly with Sunday’s firefighting efforts. 

“They will send those units off base for us as long as it doesn’t degrade their mission capabilities. That’s a very important part we look at when we’re evaluating whether to call them or not. … they were able to send a flight line truck out for us. Ultimately, that’s what we used to extinguish the bulk of the fire,” Stoner said.

He was grateful for the partnership and thankful for a firefight with no injuries.

“That’s always our number one goal,” Stoner said. “Everybody goes home at the end of the day, whether that be civilians or fire crews.”