APPLING, GA -- Employees of Pollard Lumber Co. are credited with preventing an Oct. 27  fire from spiraling out of control.

The blaze reportedly ignited in a dry kiln, part of Pollard Lumber's sawmill operation. A spokesman for the Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue squad told The Columbia County News-Times that the fire was nearly out by Pollard workers by the time firefighters arrived. Pollard Lumber employees also reportedly moved a half-dozen rail cars containing burning stacks of lumber out of the lumberyard to prevent the fire from spreading.

In addition to damaging the kiln, the fire damaged about a day's worth of wood production.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.