Firefighter Training to Start in Former Geology Building

People in the vicinity of the Greek Theatre on Dickson St. may see fire trucks at the former Geology Building for the next three nights, and may even see smoke coming from the building.

There is no need for alarm. The Fayetteville Fire Department has permission to conduct firefighter training in the building, and plan to do that training Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, July 21-23. The training exercises are scheduled for after 10 p.m., but are contingent on the weather and how busy fire fighters have been during the day.

Originally fire department trainers had planned to use only a non-toxic smoke derived from banana oil to conduct the training, but they have since requested, and gotten permission, to actually burn straw in the building, to create realistic smoke and heat conditions. The exercise will be carefully monitored and there will be no danger to the building or to the public.

The former Geology Building is vacant and located on Dickson St., immediately east of the Greek Theatre. The building is scheduled to be demolished later this summer to make way for construction of the new Hillside Auditorium.