Busy Holiday Season for Central Fire Department

    The holidays were a busy time for the Central Fire Department.  On December 28, 2014, a home owner returned to his residence in the 12700 block of Carey Rd. and discovered high heat conditions and smoke inside of his residence.  The Central Fire Department was alerted at 2:49 pm and upon arrival initiated an interior attack.  Firefighters quickly realized the fire had self extinguished, but not before causing extensive damage in the immediate area of ignition.  The rest of the home suffered serious damage from heat and smoke generated by the fire. Baker Fire Department responded as the rapid intervention crew.  Since there were no fire hydrants in the area, Brownsfield, Pride and Chaneyville Fire Departments were dispatched to provide tankers.  
    At 8:pm on New Years Eve District Six and Central Fire Departments were dispatched to 8600 Betty Smothers for a house fire. On arrival firefighters discovered the kitchen of the residence engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished; however the rest of the home suffered heat and smoke damage. 
     Just over three hours after the Betty Smothers fire, Central firefighters were dispatched to the 9300 block of Villa Crossing for a residential structure fire at 11:48 pm.  On arrival firefighters discovered significant fire consuming the rear of the structure's exterior and approximately half of the interior. Firefighters quickly extinguished all visible fire but because of extensive fire damage to the structure, firefighters remained on scene until approximately 3:30 am, January 1, 2015 clearing the home of all hidden fire.  Due to the size of the home and the extent of fire, a second alarm was called for additional personnel.  An engine company from East Side Fire Department served as the rapid intervention crew and an engine company from District Six Fire Department responded on the second alarm.  Brownsfield and Pride Fire Departments staffed two empty Central stations.  One Central firefighter suffered an ankle injury.
     As crews gained control of the Villa Crossing fire, reports of a working house fire in the 16400 block of Bristoe were received in the East Side Fire District.  A chief and an engine company were released from Villa Crossing and assisted East Side and St. George Fire Departments on Bristoe. This fire was controlled within and hour; but not before the home suffered heavy damage.
     In addition to these structure fires, the Central Fire Department was kept busy responding to numerous medical emergencies, automatic fire alarms and motor vehicle accidents over the holidays.  Central Fire Chief Bill Porche said while the number of residential fires occurring in a short amount of time was unusual, unfortunately, structure fires occur on a routine basis and the best protection for home and business owners is to have working smoke detectors and a fire escape plan.

Pictured: Bristoe fire
Charles Mondrick
Deputy Chief
Central Fire Department