Southern Pines residents are asking town leaders to establish a formal policy governing the use of buildings for live-fire training exercises.
The request follows a September training burn involving a historic home at the corner of North Page Street and West Vermont Avenue. Residents who addressed the Town Council raised concerns about historic preservation, smoke and potential effects on public health.
Residents Address Town Council
Eight community members spoke about the issue during Tuesday’s Southern Pines Town Council meeting. Several recalled seeing a large plume of dark smoke rising over the community as firefighters trained at the property.
Speakers said they recognized the importance of realistic training for firefighters but wanted the town to adopt a review process that also considers a building’s historical significance and the possible effect of smoke on nearby neighborhoods…