TUSCUMBIA — Early Saturday morning, Shoals residents were awakened by loud explosive sounds around 6:30 followed by the sound of sirens. 1819 News spoke with with Colbert County EMS, who confirmed that the explosions were the result of a warehouse fire around the area of 6th Street and Gann Boulevard in Tuscumbia. The fire is being battled, and its cause is currently under investigation. No injuries have been reported.
WAFF 48 News identified the location as a vape canister storage warehouse, and obtained video of the blaze.
'There is a fire at a warehouse with explosions off of Gann Blvd. Please stay clear of the area. Emergency vehicles are trying to assist," the Tuscumbia Police Department posted on Facebook.
The fire comes while first responders are already preparing for severe weather forecasted for Saturday.
As 1819 News reported, Gov. Kay Ivey has placed Alabama under a state of emergency with most of the state under Level 4 and 5 risk or tornados, thunderstorms, hail and other severe weather events.
Meteorologist James Spann forecasted the Shoals area and Northwest Alabama would begin to see activity “which comes from roughly around 11:00 a.m. until a little after midnight. During this time a few violent, long track tornadoes will be possible anywhere in Alabama. A high risk (level 5/5) has been defined for much of the state.”
Spann and the National Weather Service strongly recommends having two ways to receive tornado warnings outside of the outdoor sirens, such as online weather apps and a NOAA weather radio, to have a designated ground-level safe spot within one’s home, or have a local shelter identified to go to before warnings are issued.
Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, As the Girl Turns, is an investigative journalist, author, opinion analyst, and contributor to 1819 News, Redstate, and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics and Pop Culture, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
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