Danville's Long Mill Dye House imploded

5:32 p.m.

By Lindsey Ward, lward@wsls.com
WSLS Reporter

Out with the old in Danville, what used to be factory in our area is nothing more than rubble.

After a warning siren sounds, the loud blast rang through Danville.

Cell phones and cameras captured the historic moment for people gathered to see it for themselves.

“I wanted to see this thing, because it's kind of a historic event and I thought it was going to be entertaining, but it was kind of sad when it hit the ground,” said Sonny Miller, a bystander.

Miller watched from a parking lot with many others, including his grandson.

”I think [my grandson] enjoyed it,” Miller said.

It took several seconds for the building to hit the ground and then the cloud of dust covered the blue sky.

“There she’s goes, all gone,” said James Snead, pointing to the pictures of the implosion on his camera.

Many of the people who came out to watch the building crumble worked in the mill for years, but for some it wasn't such a sad sight to see their former employer come crashing down.

“I hate to see them kill all the big rats, they had rats over there about 2 foot long,” said Jim Chattin, who used to work at Long Mill.

We didn't see any rats, but shortly after the mill hit the ground, clean-up started.

Heavy equipment dug through the rubble on the ground.

Not everything went according to plans though. The elevator shaft is still standing, after one smoke stack decided to fall in the opposite direction.

Regardless, many couldn't believe what was before their eyes.

It was right interesting, I never had seen a thing like that locally, I’ve seen it on TV. Before,” Chattin said.

The mill owners haven't released any information about what the newly cleared site will be used for.

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10:48 a.m.

From Lindsey Ward, lward@wsls.com
WSLS Reporter
In the field

The Long Mill Dye House has been imploded.

Before implosion

Implosion begins

Middle of implosion

Implosion completed

People watch implosion

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2:15 a.m.

By Danville Register & Bee staff

The implosion to demolish the former Dan River Inc. Dye House at the Long Mill site will take place at 10 a.m. today and will affect vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the site for about 30 minutes before and after the blast.

Riverside Drive from North Main Street to Locust Lane will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Vehicles traveling west on Riverside Drive will have to cross the King Memorial Bridge and take Memorial Drive to Central Boulevard; vehicles traveling east will be detoured to Central Boulevard and have to take Memorial Drive to the King Memorial Bridge to return to eastbound Riverside Drive.

The Union Street Bridge will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The Riverwalk Trail between the Union Street Bridge and the King Memorial Bridge will be closed from early morning until at least noon.

The King Memorial Bridge will be closed to pedestrians.

It will be open to vehicles until shortly before detonation and will reopen shortly afterward.

City officials do not recommend trying to watch the implosion near the site.

City officials recommend people watch the implosion live on City-TV20 (Comcast channel 20) or online at http://www.citytv20.com.