Asheville Local Frequency: Chimney fire safety, winter shelters, and economic expansion

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025. We're starting today with an important safety reminder in the wake of a devastating house fire that occurred just two days ago. On Sunday night, December 1st, emergency crews responded to a late-night chimney fire on Old Wolfe Road in Riceville. The blaze spread quickly through the walls of the home, and despite the efforts of eight fire departments working together, the house became a total loss. The good news is that the single occupant escaped safely without injuries. Riceville Fire Department Chief Tom Kelly explained that the fire's complexity was challenging because of hidden pockets of fire within the walls. The crews worked for about an hour and a half to contain the flames, and since there were no hydrants in the area, they had to use a tanker shuttle system to supply water. The investigation is still ongoing, but this incident is a stark reminder to get your chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned before winter heating season. Speaking of winter weather, we're in the thick of it now. Buncombe County is experiencing consecutive Code Purple nights through this week as temperatures plunge. If you or someone you know needs shelter tonight or tomorrow night, there are several options available. Entry begins at 6 PM and ends at 8 PM at various locations around town, and free transportation is available through ART starting at 5:20 PM. Remember, sobriety and ID are not required for entry. On a lighter note, there's plenty happening around town to keep you busy. If you're looking for outdoor fun, the Lake Julian Festival of Lights is happening tonight from 6 to 8:30 PM for a drive-through experience. UNC Asheville's women's basketball team is hosting South Carolina State this morning at 11:30 AM at Kimmel Arena, and later this week, New Belgium Brewing is hosting Paperhouse Pizza food truck today with hand-crafted sourdough pizza. One quick update on a postponed event: the controlled burn that was scheduled for today near Aston Park has been rescheduled. Fire officials will provide at least 48 hours notice when they reschedule, so keep an eye out for those alerts through the AVL Alerts system. Finally, we want to highlight some positive economic news. BorgWarner, a legacy employer in our region, is expanding its footprint by establishing a 220,000 square foot building at Blue Ridge Commerce Center in Henderson County, bringing more jobs to the area. This has been Asheville Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.