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Photos by Nash County Fire Photographer Bob Bartosz
Info by Red Oak Fire Department Captain Robert Beasley
Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on January 21, 2019, one of the coldest nights in recent memory, Nash County (NC) 911 Center received calls for a structure fire in the 2500 block of Bayview Drive in the Red Oak section of Nash County. Fire departments from Station 12 Red Oak, Station 14 Nashville, and Station 4 West Mount were dispatched.
While companies were in route, Nash Central Radio advised them there was possibility of two adults and one child inside the building. Red Oak Fire Captain Robert Beasley was arriving on the scene and reported he had a two-story residential home with heavy fire showing in about 50 percent of the house, which was approximately 2,500-square ft. There was a car located in the driveway, but as it turned out the owners were not at home.
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Red Oaks Engine 12 was now arriving on the scene. Firefighters stretched 2 1/2-inch water line to the front of the house trying to get a quick knock down of the fire. Nashville Engine 14 was now arriving and stretched a 2-inch attack line to the rear end of the structure. The home was apparently a new structure built in an area of Nash County that did not have fire hydrants.
Both of units were making an aggressive defense attack due to a part of the roof already collapsing and another section on the verge of collapsing. Captain Robert Beasley radioed into dispatch to request tankers from Station 7 Castalia, Station 18 Salem, and additional engine company for manpower from Engine Company 6 Rocky Mount. Due to the distance to the nearest hydrant, Captain Robert Beasley requested additional tankers from Station 15 Coopers and Station 17 Momeyer. Station 9 Battleboro was dispatched to cover up Station 12 to protect the area due to the other companies being at the fire.
Captain Alex Wester was in command for the drop tank units due to the freezing temperature ice was starting to settle in the streets around the tankers coming in with the water. It was also requested for a sand truck to be dispatched to the fire scene. The firefighters were starting to put up a ladder on the exposure part of the building and the water was falling from the wind blowing, causing a lot of ice and creating dangerous conditions.
It took firefighters more than an hour and a half to bring the fire under control. Luckily no one was injured at the fire. Firefighters spent several more hours putting out hot spots and picking up hoseline. Through good mutual aid training, all companies worked well together and Captain Robert Beasley was pleased with the outcome. Members had high praise for the assistance from the Nash County 911 Center handling all the radio traffic. The fire is under investigation by the Nash County Fire Marshall Office.
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