A blaze that filled the sky with black smoke Saturday morning in Atmore was actually the result of a training session aimed at preparing future fire fighters for the job.

Just before noon, firemen with the Atmore Fire Department and Poarch Fire Department had accomplished their goal of lighting a fire that fully engulfed an abandoned home on Carver Avenue, next to Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church. Their purpose? Training the future members of the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department on how to handle a live structure fire.

Atmore fireman Brandon Barber said the test was part of the 106-hour course the men and women of the new department must undergo before becoming  certified.

Members of the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department class include people from all over the Atmore area, from Appleton to Nokomis and many other communities.