Photos/Story by R.M. Bergerson
Units from the Waco Fire Department responded to to a reported house fire in the 2000 block of Columbus
Ave. at 3:57 AM on January 24. Chief 3 and Engine 6 arrived
within three minutes and found 20 foot flames coming through the roof of the 1 1/2 story wood frame house. Engine 6 stretched a line in the front door to
begin and aggressive attack, but portions of the roof began to collapse at
the rear of the house.
The occupant of the house was outside, so Command
ordered Engine 6's crew out of the building to set up for defensive
operations.
Engines 9,1,4,5, Rescue 9 and Aerial 1 arrived to assist. Engine
9 and 1 laid supply lines to Engine 6, while Engine 5 laid lines to Aerial 1.
The fire grew rapidly and the involved much of the house within a few
minutes. Rescue 2 was special called to the scene for air and lights shortly
after the first units arrived.
2 -master streams, 2 -1 1/2", and 2 -2 1/2
lines were used to bring the fire under control which took nearly 2 hours.
Units were hampered by very low water pressure, and had to shut off some
lines several different times during the fire.
Engine 3 and Quint 7 were
later called on a manpower relief assignment.
The fire, which was possibly
electrical in nature, destroyed the house valued at $100,000 dollars.
