At 11:06 PM Houston County Sheriff Communications Center dispatched a structure fire at Taylor's ACE Hardware, 84 East at Glenn Lawrence Road. Responding to the fire was Cowarts Volunteer Fire and Ashford Volunteer Fire.

Houston County Sheriff Lt. James Ivey was the first on the scene. Ivey reported flames and smoke visible, chlorine on site and ammunition in the building. Ivey started responding additional deputies to secure the area and evacuate the surronding residents because of the chlorine. Lt. Ivey blocked Highway 84 East and closed the roadway because of fire hoses.

Lt. Ivey called for Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management to respond to the scene.

As Cowarts Fire Chief Roger Nall started fighting the fire Chief Nall mutual aided Dothan Fire to respond. Dothan Fire rolled the ladder truck, several fire engines and Haz Mat equipment.

Fireman were hampered on fighting the fire at the back of the building because of hot electrical lines to the building. Fireman then took chainsaws and cut holes in the west side of the building in order to gain access.

Alabama Power responded and cut power to the building.

The fire was at the back of the building. I arrived as the first engine arrived. The fire grew and progressed until flames were shooting out the front of the building.

As the fireman were fighting the fire you could hear ammunition and fireworks going off inside the building sounding like the 4th of July. This made fireman very cautious as they were trying to attack the fire.

Cowarts Fire Chief Roger Nall, Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams, Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Donald Valenza, Dothan - Houston County EMA Director Clark Matthews were some of the ones who responded. Pilcher's Ambulance was on the scene standing by for the safety of the fireman.

At 12:49 AM Cowarts Fire Chief Roger Nall and Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey gave reports from two different sides of the building. Both sides fireman were spraying water with 2 1/2 inch water lines and were not making much progress. Dothan Fire was using the ladder truck and spraying from the roof. They were making some progress on part of the building but were unable to spray the entire building because of the length.

At 1:00 AM, the fire has been burning for about two hours and is still not under control.

Houston County Sheriff Investigator Sgt. Bill Rafferty is on the scene. The Alabama State Fire Marshall has been notified to respond.