As most officials warn families year ‘round about how important a smoke detector is, it’s especially important during the winter months when alternative heat is used. One family on Jennies Creek found out first hand as one saved their lives last night when their home was on fire.
The Kermit Volunteer Fire Department was called out at around 12:20 PM for a structure fire on Old Fork Road on Jennies Crk. Because of the location, bordering Wayne and Mingo County, The Kermit Volunteer Fire Dept. takes the calls from that area as they are closer.
According to the Herald Dispatch, Addie Spaulding and her son were both at home at the time of the fire and were alerted by the smoke detector beeping which allowed them both to exit the trailer safely.
“Due to quick action by the homeowners and the KVFD The fire was contained to the bedroom with the rest of the home having moderate smoke and water damage,” Lt. Cain Maynard stated.
Just another reminder for each family to check their smoke detector equipment to make sure batteries are working and up to date.
* Update on the ambulance fire reported on Sunday night: The KVFD also responded to that call as well, located on Webb Road which is located off of US Route 52. Although no injuries reported in the blaze was extinguished, Dunlow Fire Chief explained the situation with a statement, “Dunlow Squad 702 was involved in a spontaneous fire coming back from a call near Webb Road, the vehicle burst into fire. The ambulance did not have a patient on board and the crew escaped the ambulance and thankful to God, they were unharmed.” The total loss of a ambulance with valuable equipment worth thousands of dollars really hurt the small EMS Department.
“The people in the Dunlow, Genoa and Crum communities are still providing ambulance services. Squads 72 was one of our older, but still operational squads,” Stroud said. Squads 76 is the only emergency ambulance available for the coverage area.Stroud said they intend to quickly resolve this situation and add a second squad to their fleet.” He asks for prayers from the community and is thankful that no one was harmed during this unfortunate incident.
