Pottery kiln fire scorches outbuilding at Bainbridge's Eagledale Park
July 23, 2009 · 5:25 PM
An outdoor kiln used for firing pottery at Bainbridge's Eagledale Park burst into flame Thursday afternoon, destroying an outbuilding and forcing the evacuation of a nearby classroom.
Bainbridge Fire Department was called to the park at 3:13 p.m. after it was reported that flames were shooting out of the kiln's flue. The kiln's oven had been on since early that morning, BIFD Operations Chief Luke Carpenter said.
An off-duty firefighter was first on the scene and found that flames had spread from the kiln to the roof of the wooden shelter that enclosed it.
Fire crews arrived shortly after and were able to extinguish the blaze quickly.
The kiln was connected to a 3,000-gallon underground natural gas tank, which was disconnected by Bainbridge Metropolitan Park and Recreation District personnel after the fire was reported.
The kiln is located outside a park district pottery workshop. A class was in session at the time the fire began and the building was evacuated.
Carpenter said no injuries were reported to either civilians or firefighters. It was unclear how severely the kiln was damaged in the fire. The outdoor shelter appeared to be a total loss.
"She's a goner, that's for sure" park district Services Supervisor Roger Belieu said.
The fire department is still investigating what caused the kiln to catch fire.
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