The Tallulah Fire Department (TFD) is warning local citizens of the dangers of “extremely dry conditions” after battling three different structure fires in just over a day’s time last week.
According to information posted on social media by TFD Chief Harold Allen, the first of the three blazes began Thursday afternoon with a house fire in the 600 block of Van Zelfden Street.
“Upon arrival of Engine 1, structure 1 was engulfed in flames, and had spread to two others structures, one occupied by a disabled subject (neighbors had [to] help him evacuate his residence) damaging about 30 percent of structure 2.” Allen said. “The third structure was nearly 50 feet away from structure 1, but due to the intensity of the fire of structure 1, the radiant heat caused structure 2 to ignite, damaging 50 percent of that structure. Aggressive attacks was performed to stop the fire on structure 1, so that access to the rear of the other structures could be accessed to stop the fire on those structures.”
Allen said two 4-inch supply lines were used to deliver water and six hard lines were deployed from three different apparatuses in order to bring the fire under control in around an hour’s time.
The TFD dealt with a third structure fire Friday at approximately 6:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Madison Street.
“Upon arrival of Engine 1, fire was emitted from [a] 176-square-foot storage building,” Allen said. “The driver operator deployed a 1-1/2-inch hand line with a 7/8-inch straight bore nozzle attached and began extinguishing the fire, which was brought under control within five minutes.
This (was) the third structure fire in the past 26 hours. We’re asking the public to be very careful and watchful due to the extreme dry conditions and high temperatures.”
Alle also thanked all Tallulah firefighters, as well as Tallulah Police Department officers, Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, EMS workers and the utility company employees who helped with bringing the fires under control.
“You are well appreciated for your services,” he said.
