Brush Fire in LC Turns in to a Critical Situation, “In a second it went from being a normal brush fire to an inferno”
By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor
“Hearing my dad call mayday is something I don’t ever want to experience again. So thankful for everyone’s safety!” That’s what Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston’s daughter Shelby Balaklaw had to say when a routine call about a brush fire turned into a life-or-death situation quickly for firefighters Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters were advised around 4 p.m. that a controlled burn had gotten out of control and had gotten in the hills near two homes, a large storage building and a garage that were nearby and in danger of catching on fire.
Two fire engines arrived quickly at the fire just off US 23 near Tommy Mart, one going to each residence trying to stop the progression of the fire that was within five feet of one of the structures.
A tanker for water provision was dispatched and Forestry was notified.
According to a statement prepared by the Louisa Fire Department that’s when the routine situation took a swift and dangerous turn.
“During the 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 driver’s 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.
Louisa Fire Department Chief Eddie Preston said two trucks were damaged one by flames and wind, while another sustained damage from a tree that fell on the cabin.
Aside from minor burns to a couple of firefighters and someone with the Division of Forestry, no injuries were reported.
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.
Firefighters said it was caused by someone burning brush. The wind picked it up and moved it into a wooded area. Current burn restrictions in Kentucky run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, firefighters reported.
“It was coming up the hill like a blow torch,” Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston said.
Additional agencies responding to the fire were Lowmansville Fire Department, Fallsburg Volunteer Fire Dept Station 4, W. R. Castle Fire Department, Lawrence County Sheriff, Kentucky State Police, Louisa Police Department, Lawrence and Johnson County Emergency Management.