Home Saved From a Shed Fire

On February 3rd at 2:17 in the afternoon the Red Lick VFD and Madison County Fire were called out to a structure fire on Mae Stephens road. A large shed about 20 feet from a home was on fire. Four Red Lick VFD volunteers arrived on scene in their personal vehicles. Then Madison County Fire Engine 3 arrived. It was quickly followed by RLVFD Engine 11 and Tanker 11.

Despite Madison County Fire engine getting on scene first, Red Lick VFD got their engine pumping water to their firefighters before Madison County fire. Flowing water is not a race, but it is important to get water on a fire quickly to knock it down and save nearby structures. When a volunteer group with a fire engine operator in his 60s and a firefighter in his 50s can get water to a fire faster than a young paid crew, we take pride in it.

Red Lick VFD is not all old men. Three of the first responders on scene before the engines arrived are young guys in the 20s. They did a great job and knew their jobs and what tasks had to be done in the moment.

What is most important for the community and homeowner is that we saved the home. The outside wall facing the shed suffered some damage and was moments away from catching fire. While firefighters were mopping up hot spots in the shed a firefighter inspected the home with a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) and found the house did not have any hot spots indicating the fire spread to the inside of the exposed wall.

The woods behind the shed caught fire too, so firefighters worked not only to put the shed out, but also fought the fire in the trees and grass.

I am so proud of the first responders volunteering with Red Lick VFD. They are an exceptional group of people that work very hard in tough conditions to help the community stay safe. Madison County firefighters are so wonderful the way they work with us. All the firefighters on scene work well as a unit to accomplish the task at hand. It is a beautiful thing to see.