Several fires within a 24-hour span kept the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department busy Sunday.
Just after 12:30 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to 1658 N. Park Ave. and found the home engulfed in flames.
“When it was called in, the caller said the flames were already coming through the roof,” Chief Cole Robbins said. “We had units on the scene within 10 minutes of the call and it was already 70 percent engulfed. Luckily, no one was home. Neighbors advised that the owner was away.”
Robbins said firefighters worked to protect nearby structures since they were unable to save the home.
“We wanted to make sure it didn’t flare up and catch any other structures on fire,” he said. “It was a defensive effort. The Columbia Fire Department offered mutual aid, but since it completely burned we didn’t use them.”
Robbins said 15 firefighters responded with four engines, a tanker and a squad truck and cleared the scene at 2:38 a.m.
No determination has been made on the cause.
Firefighters were later called back at 7:58 p.m. as the fire rekindled and cleared at 8:47 p.m.
In between those calls, Tri-Community firefighters’ quick response saved another fire from being much worse.
A fire alarm call just before 4 p.m. to 151 Stringer Road led to the discovery of a small fire at the residence.
“It was a kitchen fire,” Deputy Chief Tyler Creel said. “Something was left on the stove. The house was filled with smoke when we arrived, and we did a quick search to make sure nobody was in the residence. We found a pot on the stove that was burning and removed it.”
Creel credited firefighters’ quick response in preventing something worse, saying they had firefighters on the scene within six minutes.
Tri-Community responded with three engines, a squad truck and 10 firefighters. Units cleared at 4:36 p.m., and the home sustained minor smoke damage.
Pictured Above: Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department firefighters battle a blaze at 1658 N. Park Ave. early Sunday morning. The home was engulfed in flames when they arrived. | Photo by Mark Rogers
