From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — One person “suffered from burns to their hands on the scene” but did not require hospitalition after a transformer fire was put out inside the Biltmore Estate's winery on Dec. 30. the Asheville Fire Department reported later Dec 30.

The AFD said crews were dispatched to 195 Dairy Road around 11:22 a.m. after receiving a report of “a working fire.”

Fire officials said crews arrived at about 11:42 a.m. and found a transformer had caught fire in the winery, which “was quickly extinguished with dry chemicals.”

The Biltmore Estate said in a statement that, when the fire was reported, the winery was evacuated.

"A small fire occurred this morning at Biltmore Winery during scheduled electrical work. It happened before the Winery opened for the day to guests, and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished," the Biltmore Estate statement stated. 

"The Winery’s fire sprinkler system functioned as designed, suppressing the fire until the Asheville Fire Department arrived on scene and fully extinguished it using fire extinguishers."

The Biltmore Estate noted that no employees or guests were injured.

"One contractor was evaluated on the scene for a minor injury and was not transported," the statement said.

The Estate said the Biltmore Winery, including the Tasting Room, Wine Shop, and Wine Bar, would remain temporarily closed on Dec. 30. (Since then, it has reopened.)

 All other areas of the estate, including Antler Hill Village, remained open regular hours and accessible to guests.