UPDATE:

Firefighters from Chattooga and many surrounding counties are still battling a blaze this afternoon at the site of the former Harriet and Henderson Cotton Mill - now the recycling complex – but things are looking like they might be contained.

Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters said this afternoon by phone that the fire earlier threatened 2 structures in the area.

“2 homes very close and was threatened this morning, but they were able to isolate the area around those and things look positive for it,” he said. “We’re in a completely different situation at 1 (p.m.) than we were at 9 (a.m.)”

Winters also said that a couple of firefighters have briefly been forced out of the fight with the blaze due to problems with the heat, but both were treated at the scene. No injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with the blaze, he said.

A quarter-mile evacuation zone around the fire remains in effect, Winters said. Firefighters are still running hoses throughout the area in order to help fight and contain the blaze, and smoke remains thick but is getting lighter.

“Working on getting the fire contained now,” he said. “They’ve made tremendous progress and air quality levels continue to be monitored. They’re all falling in the good range.”

Firefighters from Chattooga, Catoosa, Walker, Polk, Bartow, Floyd and Cherokee Counties have been involved in fighting the fire. Some 120 personnel in all are currently on the ground.

Check back with the Rome News-Tribune for more updates as firefighters continue their work.

Previously posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:15 p.m.

Georgia Forestry officials have been called in to bring their equipment to establish fire breaks around the perimeter of a large structure fire at a recycling complex in Summerville.

The side of the former Harriet and Henderson Cotton Mill where the flames are most intense, toward the back of the mill, has the Berryton Creek. That will help serve as a natural barrier.

Chattooga County Public Works has also brought in a backhoe to move recycling material out of the way and help fight the blaze.

Click here to read more from The Summerville News.