SEE MORE >>
Photos and story by Bob Bartosz, Nash County (NC) Fire Photographer
On January 19, 2018 at 1:45 p.m., fire departments from Station 12 (West Edgecombe, NC), Station 19 (Heartsease), and Nash County Station 11 (Sharpsburg) were dispatched along with Edgecombe EMS units to the 1200 block of Powell Rd for a house fire.
Firefighters en route leaving their station could see a large column of smoke in the sky. The first-in engine reported they had a working fire. Heavy smoke was pouring out of the home and fire showing out the back of the home. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the fire. While inside the burning building, firefighters from West Edgecombe fire company were able to rescue the homeowner’s pet dog, which was still inside. The dog, unhurt, was taken outside and given to the owner. Firefighters said that the smoke was so thick at times you could not find your way or even see the house.
Flames were now coming through the roof and the home was fully involved. Fire crews were compelled to make an exterior attack to fight the fire. It took 45 firefighters more than one hour using three 1 3/4-inch water lines to bring the fire under control. There were no fire hydrants on the road near the home and firefighters had to go more than 1/2 mile to the nearest hydrant to bring water back water in tankers to fight the fire. There were no injuries reported, and the home was a total loss.
