By Stephen Smoot
“Everything was handled very well. THANKS to all!”
This concluding thought by Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County emergency services coordinator, summed up a tragic night that could have been much, much worse without the skill and effort of area volunteer firefighters and others who provided support.
Brian DiFalco of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department echoed Gillespie in stating, “Everyone worked effectively, safely, and with professionalism to stop the fire and protect surrounding structures.”
Only a couple of hours after sunset last Tuesday, a building with deep historical roots split into two apartments caught fire. Flames quickly consumed much of the structure and, thankfully, the family of seven in one apartment and the single resident of the other made it to safety.
Calls started coming to Pendleton 911 at just after 9 p.m. Gillespie described on Facebook the challenge involved when dispatchers field calls during “high profile emergencies” that hundreds can see, with many of those reporting.
He shared that “in addition to intaking the emergency telephone calls, they must operate the radio system to ‘tone-out’ the fire departments. When responding agencies get involved, ‘the radio traffic goes through the roof.’”
Units responded to the blaze at 30 Locust Street, finding that the conflagration had mostly consumed the house. The intense heat and size of the blame threatened the historic Main Street United Methodist Church just across the narrow street. Utility lines also failed and fell as the fire tried to spread from the lot.
Aid came from Upper Tract, South Fork, Circleville, and Seneca Rocks.
“Crews deployed multiple lines to attack the fire and protect exposure buildings,” DiFalco stated, adding that “the bulk of the fire was knocked down in 30 minutes.” Firefighters had to remain on scene for several hours after to completely extinguish any trace of fire or ember.
Efforts to contain the blaze began on the outside, but eventually firefighters made their way to the interior. Then, the firefighters themselves faced danger from the unpredictable nature of a house fire.
The volunteers ascended into the second floor and started knocking out the old-style tongue and groove ceiling, only to reveal “a large volume of fire in the attic” above them. They extinguished that, then others using ladders and saws cut away parts of the upper structure to put out more fires awaiting within.
When the fire hydrant showed problems, Brush 28 went to the river to draw water with which to douse the inferno. Gillespie explained on Facebook that “the fire hydrants did all they could do . . . given the number of pumper trucks drawing water.”
One hydrant failed and Town of Franklin workers rushed in to restore service. Gillespie added a “shout out” to those who worked on the hydrant and manned the water plant. He also shared that “the firemen always have a plan and they were drawing water from the river, using tankers and dump trucks.”
Fire crews always had ample water to meet their needs throughout the event.
When people lose their homes, along with all of their valued and sentimental possessions, it is always a tragedy. How a community responds to tragedy, however, serves as a blessing.
Citizens, including staff from T&K Markets, brought food and drinks to help keep the crews hydrated. Former, retired, and even soon-to-become fire fighters converged on the scene to provide support and assistance, such as helping to deploy the hose, changing SCBA bottles, and more.
Crews remained on scene until 3:15 a.m. last Wednesday. The remnants of the structure were quickly demolished in the interest of public safety.
The Franklin VFD members wishes those who helped to know “your contributions were greatly appreciated.”
Also present to support were the West Virginia State Police, Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, Pendleton County Sheriff’s Department, Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management, Mon Power, and Town of Franklin utilities.
Additionally, the community rallied behind those who lost their homes. The night of the blaze, a call for clothing donations went out. Within two days, every stated need was filled. Cash donations can be given to Karen Pitsenbarger, Pendleton County administrator, at the Pendleton County Courthouse during business hours.
