Construction fire causes smoke, stalls traffic in western Wake County
A mulch fire on a construction site along Green Level West Road in Apex Thursday morning blanketed the area in smoke during the morning rush hour and was the cause of at least six accidents.
Posted — UpdatedNeighbors say smoke irritated eyes, throats
Nearby residents said they had smelled and seen smoke over the past few days.
"Yesterday it was a little hazy but nothing like it was today," said Barry Knapp. "You couldn’t see today."
Knapp said his wife, a teacher in Durham, didn't make it far before calling to report that she couldn't see to drive.
"I called her and I said, 'You’re going to have to wait there a little bit. Just wait for the sun to come up,'" Knapp said.
He eventually walked out to find his wife, navigating the smoky streets with his face covered in a scarf.
"I was standing at the edge of the road and there was a line of cars at the other side but I couldn’t see those cars unless I started walking into the road," Knapp said.
Firefighters struggle to reach source
The source of the fire was so deep in the woods that fire trucks were unable to reach it. Sun Con used bulldozers to spread out the burning brush over damp ground in an effort to extinguish it.
"They are trying to turn the piles over and mash them into the ground to alleviate the problem," Huegerich said.
A damp, foggy morning contributed to the lingering heavy smoke. Huegerich said early fog and humidity kept the smoke concentrated near the ground.
Six wrecks reported
They estimated it would take most of the morning to clear the smoke and the accidents.
Dorsey said troopers found at least three accidents – some involving more than one vehicle. No one was injured.
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