Mid-afternoon fires

Two significant fires are being fought this afternoon in Oconee County–one in Westminster; the other, near Salem.  At Westminster, fire has been extinguished in the BMI manufacturing/warehouse building on 123/the Toccoa Highway.  By 4 this afternoon, only smoke can be seen coming out of the large building.  Lt. Michael Smith of the Westminster Fire Department said work was being done to the building when some type of problem occurred in the electrical panel.  The fire was contained to the electric panel and major damage to the structure was avoided.  Near Salem, at this hour, rural fire fighters are attempting to extinguish a home fire at Choehee Valley–believed to be a home on Lake Cherokee.