Pembroke was all set to recognize its volunteer firefighters during Monday night’s city council meeting when something happened to change those plans.
Fire Chief Peter Waters and several of his firefighters had to go fight a fire.
In Hazlehurst.
Waters said he and his firefighters were called out to the massive blaze at the Thompson Hardwoods lumber yard and left around 5 p.m. Monday
They didn’t get home until 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Those who went in addition to Waters were Lieutenant David Cook and Lieutenant Dalton Cook, and firefighters Matt Fleming, Paul Rigo and Julian Anderson. 
As for the city’s plans to recognize their firefighters, that’s apparently still a go.
Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell said the city will either recognize them at a called meeting or during the city’s July meeting.
Meanwhile, the fire at the yard is mostly contained, though the damage has been extensive. The lumber yard is one of the largest of its kind in the nation,.
In other council business:
Pembroke approved a contract with the Claxton Women’s Detention Center for two work details. The $79,000 annual contract provides the city with two guards and up to 10 inmates for work around the city, according to Clerk Betty Hill.
City Council also approved the closing of Stevens and Gibson Street on Aug. 2 as part of Pembroke Night Out. In addition, council members learned street projects on both Payne Drive and Anderson Lane are nearing completion.