In the early hours of Friday morning, things were no different from any other morning.  Well at least until a Morganton Public Safety Officer reported flames showing from the roof of the old Drexel Heritage Plants 3 & 5.   The call was made and several units responded to  the biggest fire Morganton has seen since the Synthron Plant Explosion in 2006.

Around 3:00 a.m.,  flames ripped through the vacant structure as fire fighters battled to contain the blaze.  Local resources were called in to assist.  Salem Fire Rescue, Oak Hill Fire Rescue, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Burke County Emergency Services, Burke County React,  City of Valdese Fire Department, Town of Long View Fire Department, and Gamewell Fire Deptartment were called in to assist in battling the blaze. 

50 to 60 firefighters fought the fire through the remainder of the night and most of the day on Friday.  The fire was contained and under control by noon on Satruday.  Fire personnel will continue to monitor and guard the scene.  No determination has been made of the origin of the fire.   Burke County Fire Marshals office and Morganton Public Safety will begin there criminal investigation on Monday.