'Shook the whole truck:' 4-alarm fire damages Gleason Redi-Mix in Burlington; no injuries

Burlington business fire

BURLINGTON -- Investigators are working to determine the cause of a four-alarm fire at a Burlington concrete factory. The fire did a lot of damage -- but didn't stop employees from going to work.

Investigators don't know when the fire at Gleason Redi-Mix started -- because no one had been in the building for hours. By the time firefighters got the call around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, the fire had taken over a company warehouse.

Gleason Redi-Mix in Burlington

"It looks like it had been going for a while. To gain access and get water on the fire took a little time," said Assistant Chief Eric Kurth, Burlington Fire Department.

Burlington fire officials quickly called for backup -- and 13 departments responded to help.

Fire at Gleason Redi-Mix in Burlington

Chief Alan Babe

"So we had adequate personnel and equipment here at the scene," said Chief Alan Babe, Burlington Fire Department.

The warehouse's metal frame kept the flames contained -- but the trucks and equipment parked inside were likely a total loss, officials said.

"I haven't been in the building. I counted somewhere around 17," said Chad Ishman, VP, Gleason Redi-Mix.

People in the area reported hearing multiple explosions overnight.

Fire at Gleason Redi-Mix in Burlington

"Oh yeah, shook the whole truck. 'Kaboom, boom, boom,'" said Carlin Pillman.

Gleason Redi-Mix in Burlington

Firefighters couldn't confirm whether the blasts came from the four-alarm fire. Investigators will dig through the debris to determine a cause and a timeline.

Employees were already back to work Wednesday morning. The fire did not damage either of the concrete manufacturing buildings. New trucks arrived at the site and employees got back to work shortly after firefighters cleared the scene.

Gleason Redi-Mix owns four mixing facilities. The vice president said this fire wouldn't disrupt the work at any of those locations.