The law enforcement community is rallying around former Columbia Police Chief Carroll Bryant after he and his wife lost their home in a fire.
A massive blaze destroyed their house at 1879 Mississippi 35 Wednesday morning, sending up a plume of smoke visible for miles.
The Mississippi Auxiliary Chapter of the National Alliance for Law Enforcement Support is collecting gift cards to restaurants or Walmart plus other donations.
“That’s one of our own. We’ve got to stand by them,” State Director Sherie Cooper said.
She said in a few days they’re planning to put together a fundraiser.
Marion County Fire Investigator Aaron Greer said a passerby saw smoke Wednesday morning and went in to see if anyone was there. No one was, but the man was overcome by smoke, Greer said. The man was looked at on the scene and released.
The Bryants arrived soon and could only watch as their home burned. Relatives and friends came to give support.
By 10 a.m., orange flames leapt through the roof of the well-manicured, one-story home about 7 miles south of U.S. 98.
Myron Miller, assistant chief for the Southwest Marion Volunteer Fire Department, said the structure was fully involved when he arrived. He said it was a pine house covered by brick, which makes it difficult to cool down the wood.
"When they get hot, it's pretty much a controlled burn," Miller said.
Firefighters were able to save an outshed and prevent spread to another nearby home.
Greer, who was helping battle the blaze, got out a dog inside a fence surrounding the home and took it to safety on the other side.
Authorities also used a winch to pull a truck away from the home.
Shots could be heard popping from inside the home as firefighters worked, and they said it was most likely ammunition.
Greer said he and the State Fire Marshal’s Office were investigating the cause of the fire Thursday morning.
In addition to the Southwest Marion department, the South Marion and Foxworth volunteer fire departments also helped put out the fire. Crews were called out three times. They were initially dispatched at 9:38 Wednesday morning and stayed until 1:28 p.m. They were called again at 4 Wednesday afternoon and remained on the scene until just before 6. Firefighters were called out again at 9:15 Thursday morning.
Pictured Above: A firefighter with the Southwest Marion Volunteer Fire Department enters a burning home at 189 Mississippi 35 Wednesday morning. Crews labored to keep the raging blaze from spreading. | Photo by Charlie Smith
