House Fire on December 13, 2008
A Disaster Action Team was called out for a house fire at 4:30 AM on December 13, 2008. Three members of the team responded initially, arriving at the fire at about 5:00 AM.
The fire was a large one, causing Wren to ask for help from 3 other departments, Convoy, Ohio City, and Willshire. The cold temperature and winds blowing the smoke and mist from the hoses out over the road and the equipment parked there made things difficult. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The Red Cross offers a respite where the firemen are able to come in and warm up.
Upon arriving, the DAT members quickly set up to pass out coffee, hot chocolate, water, or energy drinks to any of the first responders that wanted some. The coffee and hot chocolate were both very popular, with the temperature well below freezing.
After about three hours the DAT started making calls to arrange for food for the firemen. Burger King, McDonald’s, and the night manager at Walmart generously provided breakfast sandwiches and doughnuts for the 4 departments. The food was picked up and delivered to the site by a 4th DAT member, who stayed to help for several more hours.
At a bit before 9:00 AM, the Ohio City and Willshire departments were able to head home. The remaining units, along with the Red Cross ERV, were moved into the driveway to allow the road to be opened up. ODOT put salt down to cut the ice caused from the mist from the hoses over a long stretch of the road.
Two disaster action team (DAT) members remained until approximately 11:00 AM, finally leaving when the fire was nearly out.
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- The ERV at the Marathon Pak-A-Sak, getting the coffee and water for the fire.
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- The first view of the fire through the windshield of the ERV.
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- 2 teams of firefighters, pouring water onto the front of the house.
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- Smoke and mist from the hoses, blowing over the road, the equipment, and the firefighters.
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- Near the artificial ponds, set up as a water source for the hoses.
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- The rising sun shows that the amount of smoke has lowered considerably.
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- One of the first really clear views of the house as the smoke slowly cleared.
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- The clearing smoke reveals that the roof is almost gone as some firefighters perpare to go inside.
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- A DAT member, bundled against the cold, waiting for some firefighters to show up for breakfast.
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- Some firefighters take a break while waiting to find out what they do next.
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- Despite fighting the fire over 4 hours, they still need to keep water going.
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- A clear view of the damage at the back of the house.
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- Two DAT members passing out sandwiches from the back of the ERV.
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- Moved to the other side of the property.
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- Another view of the damage to the roof.
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- A burning tree forced the firefighters to move away from the house.
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