First responders from neighboring agencies assist
By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
A house fire that started Friday (Aug. 7) afternoon kept firefighters and other emergency responders on the scene until after dark in the 12000 block of U.S. 431.
No one was hurt in the blaze; the home was heavily damged from fire, smoke and water.
Residents were home when they saw smoke, a family member said, and they were able to get themselves and some pets out of the house.
Sardis City Fire Chief Johnny Crosson said the fire call came in at 4:43 p.m. and he arrived to find heavy smoke and flames in the carport area. First engine and firefighters deployed a hand line to interior door in a storage room. The fire had spread already to the attic.
Because of the extreme heat and smoke, the department called for assistance and a number area fire departments responded. The fire continued to spread through the attic space, Crosson said, and was brought under control after about three hours on the scene.
Because of the overwhelming heat and humidity, the chief said, a total of seven firefighters were treated on the scene by crews from Marshall Health System Ambulance crews.
At this time, Crosson said, the cause of the fire is unknown.
The chief detailed the respond to the fire:
Sardis Fire – 11 firefights, two engines, one ladder and one rescue.
Boaz Fire – eight firefighters, two engines, one command vehicle.
Mountainboro Fire – six firefighters, one engine.
Gadsden Fire – three firefighters, one battalion chief, one engine.
Sand Valley – six firefighters.
New Union – two firefighters
Ball Play Bend – two firefighters.
Ivalee Fire – seven firefighters, one engine.
Reece City – three firefighters, one rescue standby at Station 1.
ESU UNITS 4, 5 and 6.
Sardis and Boaz Police Officers.
Etowah County Sheriff’s deputies and Etowah County Sheriff Cooling/Command Vehicle.
Sardis and Boaz police.
Crosson said there might have been other agencies, and he offered thanks to all, especially MMC ambulance service personnel.
Owners of the home are Craig Duke and Neville Metcaff, Crosson said.
Family members posted on social media that a gofundme account has been established for them.
A daughter-in-law said the couple lost all their belongs in the blaze, and while they’d been able to find a place to stay, there were now trying to furnish it.
She posted that donations for the couple were being accepted at Goggans Insurance, located on U.S. 431 near the burned residence.
She said the family was thankful for the concern and donations provided, and asked for prayers.
Sardis City firefighters and police get assistance from neighboring departments, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, and emergency medical responders in battling a blaze Friday afternoon at a home in the 12000 block of U.S. 431 South. Emergency vehicles lined the service road in front of the residence, and U.S. 431 for hours as firefighters ensured the fire was out. Photo by DONNA THORNTON l The Leader
