Firefighters Save Homes

At 1:30 PM on August 21^st, the Campbell County Fire Department responded to the area of L Court in the Freedom Hills subdivision to battle a grass fire. The 4-6 acre fire threatened multiple structures. Campbell County Fire Chief Don Huber said, it is believed the fire was human caused and remains under investigation.

“The end result was four out builds on fire and a fifth one the corner started up, but none were habitable structures,” said Huber. He added that one home in the area had its siding burned, but the firefighters were able to keep the fire out of the home and save it.

On Wednesday, a Freedom Hills resident called into The Glenn Woods Show on News-Talk AM 1270 to express his gratitude of the effort. “I just want to send out kudos to the firefighters, we had some minor damage to my house”, the caller said, “but they sure saved a major catastrophe that could have happened in that subdivision.”

Campbell County Commissioner Dan Coolidge added, that he was proud of the great job done by the fire department and said that that is the type of situation the firefighters prepare and train for, and handle well when called upon. Gillette Mayor Tom Murphy also noted that he commends the fire department for always being “at the ready”, and added that dedication and quick work is something he witnessed for himself earlier in the year when they put down a blaze near him place of employment.

Chief Huber says moral at the department remains very good after a very stressful fire season but notes it is still important for the public the keep conditions outdoors in mind.

“I just want to caution people that summer is not over with yet, we have a partial burn restriction within the county still in effect, and it will likely remain in effect under we get adequate moisture.”