GRAHAM, N.C. — The former Culp Weaving Mill building in Graham was not up to fire safety standards and codes before catching fire Sunday night.
The city's fire inspector said the property wasn't secure, didn't have any fire protection inside, and part of the structure was decaying--deeming it an unsafe building.
Graham City Fire Inspector, Beau Russell said as of Tuesday the former mill is still burning.
Russell said the exterior walls have a potential of falling and the entire property is considered unsafe.
City officials said the property has been a nuisance to the area for years.
They've tried multiple times to encourage the owners to bring the building up to code, but have gotten nowhere.
"I've been here for 12 years, and they've been a thorn in my side if you will. Just trying to get compliance, educating the owners that the things that we speak about in the fire code, trying to prevent fires, they are in there for a reason," Russell explained.
The City of Graham mailed their first nuisance notice to the owners of this building back in September 2019.
Since then, there have been daily fines added on for the building. Violations include the property being a nuisance, as well as landscaping design, and maintenance standards.
As of Monday, the fines on this building total over $222,000.
We were just out here this time last year for another fire at the mill on the back side of the building.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, otherwise known as ATF, has been called in to help with a suspicious fire investigation due to the significant amount done in damage.
Firefighters continue to keep an eye on some of the hot spots under the debris until they eventually burn themselves out.
A preliminary investigation has started but due to how dangerous it is inside the building, investigators will rely heavily on drones.
The city said they've been in contact with their legal team to see what, if any, next steps can be taken.