CFD Responds to House Fire

Photos & Article Courtesy of Central Fire Department

    The Central Fire Department responded to  a house fire Tuesday morning at 2:33AM.  An alert truck driver passing over Magnolia Bridge saw the fire and called 911.  Thank you to Brandon LeBlanc for making the 911 call.  An unknown 18-wheeler driver stayed on the bridge until the CFD arrived.  The elevated house along the Amite River has a gravel driveway off of Greenwell Springs Road, and CFD was only able to get a fire truck halfway down the gravel road because of its condition.  CFD was able to get some of their equipment to the house using a pickup truck.  They immediately called for the grass fire truck, a 4-wheel drive truck with a water tank and pump.  Firefighters found a fire on the porch of the home and the house full of smoke.  They immediately started checking for occupants by banging on the door and window.  To their surprise, they woke seven people and got them out safely, along with five dogs.  The fire was extinguished with no injuries to firefighters or civilians.  The fire was caused by discarded smoking materials, and the home did not have a working smoke alarm.  If it had not been for the alert truck driver, this could have been a very tragic situation.  Inquiries have been made concerning what people can do to help.  The homeowner stated that they do not need anything.  They are just glad everyone got out safely.  The Central Fire Department returned later Tuesday morning and installed smoke alarms in the home.