Police officer rescues pets from fire
FIRE & EMS WATCH
Becky Robinette Wright

Becky Robinette Wright/Chesterfield Observer Firefighters finish their work after a house fire on Overlea Drive.

Several pets were saved last week thanks to the bravery of a county police officer when he rescued them from a burning home.

The unidentified officer arrived first on scene to a house fire in the 4700 block of Overlea Drive around 11:07 a.m. on Oct. 1. As smoke rolled from the front door, the officer entered the home to look for occupants. No one was home, but he discovered several pets inside and promptly removed them.

Firefighters from the Clover Hill, Swift Creek and Manchester at Courthouse stations, along with medics from Manchester at Courthouse, Battalion Chief Mark Nugent, Acting Battalion Chief Randy Perdue and Tactical Safety Officer Rick Talley, responded. The fire was brought under control quickly.

Fans were placed at the front doorway to blow the smoke out of the home.

"Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the room of origin," said Nugent. "We were fortunate no one was injured."

Becky Robinette Wright/Chesterfield Observer Emergency vehicles crowd the normally quiet neighborhood of Clifton Farms.

Wagstaff firefighters provided coverage at Manchester at Courthouse Station while the crews were at the fire.

The type of pets has not been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Suspicious brush fire burns twice

 

Firefighters from Dale Station were dispatched for a tree on fire in the 7400 block of Koufax Drive on Sept. 29 shortly after 7 p.m., but what they discovered was a little more intense. Crews arriving on scene found a debris pile the size of a Volkswagen Beetle made of straw, mulch and brush, all of which burns easily.

Hoses snaked from the fire engine and brush truck on scene as firefighters began a tedious job. After the first round of water was squirted on the fire, long metal rakes were used to stir the mound, then water once again was squirted in abundance.

In spite of firefighters' efforts, the debris continued to smolder and flare-up. A decision was made to use a special high-powered water gun mounted on the front of the brush truck. All personnel cleared the area, and soon a deluge of water drowned the persistent fire. The operation took nearly three hours of continued efforts.

The very next night, firefighters were once again dispatched to the same pile and performed the operation all over again.

The fire has been deemed suspicious and is under investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office.

Elementary school fire

 

Around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, firefighters from Manchester Station at Hull Street were dispatched for a possible fire at Chalkley Elementary School. Upon arrival, it was discovered the fire had been in a piece of equipment and was out, but smoke was lingering in the air.

Manchester's command officer requested Buford's aerial ladder truck for a ventilation operation.

Tree blocks traffic

 

Airport Station firefighters responded to the 11000 block of Nash Road on Sept. 29 around 12:30 p.m. for a tree across the road. Firefighters requested a police officer to assist with the traffic that was backing up.

The tree soon became kindling under the skilled firefighters' hands, and traffic began its flow again.

Citizen gets a helping hand

 

It was 2:21 a.m. on Sept. 29 when Manchester at Hull Street Station firefighters were called to literally lend a helping hand. A citizen had fallen and was unable to get up. Crews zipped to the home and aided the resident.

A few hours later, the citizen fell again, and crews were dispatched once more to provide assistance.