Fire Contained at Former Goodyear Plant in Gadsden; No Injuries Reported

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Boyd of the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant, now Takkion, a blaze Saturday morning.

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

GADSDEN, Ala. — Firefighters responded early Saturday morning, Dec. 6, to a blaze at the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber manufacturing plant, now operating as Takkion, located at 922 E. Meighan Boulevard in Gadsden.

Photo courtesy of Shane Christensen of the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant.

The fire was reported in the rear portion of the expansive industrial site, primarily affecting the roof area. According to City of Gadsden Public Affairs Coordinator Michael Rodgers, the fire was contained before 8 a.m., and no injuries have been reported.

Statement about the fire from Mayor Craig Ford.

Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford commended local and area first responders for their swift action:

“We want to thank Chief Vance Brown and the Gadsden Fire Department for their quick response, and we also want to thank all the other area fire departments who have responded and offered aid.”

In further comments to The Weekly Ledger News, Mayor Ford said firefighters successfully limited the fire to the Banbury section of the facility, battling flames from the roof down.

“The fire has been contained, and I cannot say enough about the Gadsden Fire Department and all the assistance from departments across Etowah County,” Ford said.

Smoke was visible across parts of the city earlier in the morning as crews worked to suppress the flames and secure the area.

The former Goodyear facility, once a major employer for thousands of residents across Northeast Alabama — including many in Cherokee and Etowah counties — has been undergoing redevelopment and repurposing since tire production ceased at the plant.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials are expected to release more details as information becomes available.

TWLN will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates from city officials and first responders.