By Mark Beardsley
The Commerce Fire Department pulled two unconscious people from a burning building Sunday afternoon in the 1800 block of North Broad Street.
The condition of the victims, a male and female, was not immediately known. Both were taken to BJC Hospital and the woman was subsequently airlifted to an Atlanta hospital, according to fire chief Keith Whitfield.
The call came from the 911 center at 5:07, Whitfield said. Fireman Bryan Allen was the first on the scene at 5:11.
"There was heavy smoke and flames coming through the roof," Whitfield said.
Firemen were unaware anyone was in the building until they entered to clear it. Whitfield said the firemen encountered one of the victims just inside the door and the other near the back. The firemen pulled the man and woman out and began administering CPR. Within minutes, an ambulance arrived and transported the victims to BJC Hospital.
The firemen knocked the fire down by 5:28, according to Whitfield.
The building is owned by Oliver Waters, who had used it up until about two weeks ago to manufacture furniture. Waters, who was at the scene, said no one should have been in the building at the time. He said he had no idea who the victims might be.
The State Fire Marshal was expected to be on the scene by around 6:30. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Damage to the adjacent building was limited to smoke damage, said Walter Eubanks, owner of that property.
The Nicholson, Maysville and Jackson County Correctional Institute fire departments assisted with the blaze.