LOUISA, Ky. — A small brush fire spread though an area of Lawrence County as strong winds pushed it across a fireline and a road into an area containing two structures, one being a home. Firefighters were fighting the intense flames when a large oak tree fell across a large firetruck narrowing missing the operator on the scene.
Here is the story straight from the firefighters mouths…
Louisa Fire Department
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Below is information about yesterdays forest/brush fire:
– The call came in at 4:40pm. Caller advised that a controlled burn had gotten out of control and that the hills were on fire with 2 homes, 1 large storage building, and 1 garage in danger of catching on fire.
– First engine (E6) arrived on scene and went to the location of a residence and garage where the fire was headed, to try and stop the fire progression before reaching the residence and garage.
– Second engine (E7) arrived at another residence and large storage building and began fire suppression due to the fire being within 5 feet of the structures. Tanker 3 arrived and provided water to the engines.
– 100 established incident command and Forestry was also notified.
– During fire suppression efforts, the wind began gusting up to 30 mph, and the fire jumped fire lines and the road, and was burning toward the top of the hill at a high rate of speed.
– Engine 6 was located at the residence and garage on the hill and now had heavy fire all around them and reported that the garage was now on fire and they were trying to get it under control. While doing so, the wild fire rapidly took over their position and they were now trapped due to heavy fire, smoke feed by strong winds, therefore E6 crew was now in serious danger. Command lost contact with them and went to their position. Upon reaching their location the fire had reached E6 and the wind was blowing the fire against the driver side and underneath E6 with heavy smoke and heat. Command and 3 firefighters immediately retreated to the passenger side of E6 (unburned side) for safety.
The fire grew bigger and hotter with extremely smokey conditions. It was now a life or death situation. Unable to see and breathe, a mayday was called, 2 of the firefighters sheltered in place, then self rescued. Command forced one firefighter into E6 and he made his way around to the drivers seat through the fire, smoke and heat and drove the truck in reverse to a safe area.
– Additional crews responded to the Mayday, E7 crew was trying to get additional attack lines to them, and while conducting rescue efforts a large oak tree fell and crushed across the cab, barely missing the pump operator. The pump operator would have been seriously injured if the tree would have changed directions by mere inches. Additional departments heard the Mayday and responded immediately.
– The fire was eventually extinguished.
– Forestry used 2 dozers to stop the fire from spreading across the hill to additional homes.
– In total, 2 firefighters suffered minor burns and 1 Division of Forestry firefighter was treated for chest pains.
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