By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@cordeledispatch.com

CORDELE — A large pile of peanut hulls caught fire twice over the weekend and kept local firefighters busy.

According to reports from Crisp County Fire Chief Jonathan Windham the first incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday. Crisp County Fire and Rescue responded to the GFA Peanut Company with three trucks and remained for three hours.

Windham said a trackhoe was brought in to spread the pile of hulls to make sure it was watered thoroughly.

Unfortunately the pile sparked again on Sunday and firefighters returned to the scene at approximately 3 p.m. This time with five trucks to assist due to the flames being greater and damaging two roofs on buildings. Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately six hours.

Windham said the cause of the fire was heat from the decomposition of the peanut hulls.