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www.shelbyinfo.com Our 41st Year • Issue No. 51 • December 19, 2024
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Knives & Collectibles 1008 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 704-600-6996 • 980-295-5568
Local business owner thankful for Shelby Fire and Rescue quick response By Alan Hodge
The late-night hours of November 22 probably saw Til-Mar Textiles, Inc. president Jack Jackson snoozing peacefully. Little did he know, but at that very time, something was beginning to unfold at his 130,000 sq. ft. factory at 1305 Frederick St. that would bring the slumber to a screeching halt. That event was a fire. According to Jackson, the blaze apparently began around 11pm on Friday night the 22nd when a smoldering ember in a large bag of rags hanging near a washing machine ignited. “The bag dropped its burning contents into a buggy full of more rags below it,” he said. “The smoke and fire alarms sent a signal to the fire department (Shelby Fire and Rescue Station 1). From the time the signal was sent until the fire trucks got here was only about six minutes.” Shelby Fire and Rescue Station 1 is located at 506 East Grover St. about .7 mile from Til-Mar Textiles. Shelby Fire and Rescue “A” Platoon Battalion Chief David Vanhoy described the action. “Even before we arrived, TilMar had done things right,” he said. “The sprinkler system was up to date and held the fire until we got there. Without the sprinklers it would have been an all-night event. They also had a KnoxBox in place.” What’s a KnoxBox? “It’s a box outside with a key to the business inside,” said Vanhoy. “Our firetrucks have a key to the box so we can get in the business. If a business wants a box, they can go to Knoxbox.com.” According to Vanhoy, 15 fire and eight EMS personnel responded to the scene. “We had three engines there,” he said. “Cleveland Vol.
Til-Mar Textiles, Inc. president Jack Jackson is thankful to Shelby Fire Dept. for their quick response to the fire at his factory around midnight on Nov. 22.
These photos from the Shelby Fire Dept. Station 1 Facebook page shows equipment and personnel on the scene the night of November 22 at Til-Mar Textiles. (Shelby Fire Dept. Photos)
Jack’s parents Stoney and Peggy Jackson purchased Til-Mar Jackson who founded S&P Sales Textiles from founder James Martin in 2019. back in 1971. Fire Department also responded.” Even after the fire was out, Vanhoy’s men continued to stay on top of the situation. “We stayed for forty-five minutes to monitor the air quality in the warehouse,” he said. Overall, Vanhoy says the event was a testament to the professionalism of the responders. “We operated like a welloiled machine,” he said. Jackson praised Shelby Fire and Rescue Station 1 for their
expertise in bringing the situation to an expeditious and happy ending. “I’m so thankful for the Shelby Fire and Rescue Department,” he said. “I want to thank the brave firefighters who entered a blazing smoke field plant. My words cannot express the gratitude I have for them. The response time to TilMar Textile’s alarm system was nothing short of spectacular! Their performance is truly a Jack’s son Nicholas Jackson shows a bundle of rags like the one that standard of excellence. Within sparked the Nov. 22 fire. He is Vice President of Operations. Sister See FIRE, Page 10 Erica Kersey (not pictured) is Vice President of Sales and Finance.
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