Christmas Eve proved to be a busy time for first responders across Cherokee County with volunteers at McCord’s Fire Department responding to two separate structure fires on Saturday.
The first blaze was a three bay garage/shop with an attached apartment in the 8000 block of County Road 16. McCord’s Assistant Fire Chief Barry Rogers, Jr. reported this incident just after 2:00 pm when a family member who saw the fire reported it to him. McCord’s Engine 51 arrived on the scene just 6 minutes after being dispatched and encountered a fully involved working structure fire with one exposure endangered. Fire crews utilized a nearby fire hydrant to obtain a positive water supply and quickly deployed multiple hose lines preventing any major damage to the nearby residential structure. Those responding to this incident included McCord’s, Spring Creek, and Cave Springs Fire Departments along with Floyd EMS. No one was injured in the mishap and the cause is currently undetermined.
The second fire was reported just before 11:30 pm in the 11,000 block of County Road 45. This fire was a two story residential structure that was occupied when the fire started in the garage area. Occupants narrowly escaped the rapidly growing fire with one elderly resident being pulled from a window by another occupant. McCord’s Engine 51 arrived on the scene only ten minutes after the call was dispatched and encountered a structure that was fifty percent involved and rapidly growing. Units were again able to utilize a fire hydrant across the street from the residence to deploy an aggressive fire suppression effort. Three adult occupants of the residence were evaluated on the scene by Floyd EMS with two going to Atrium-Floyd Cherokee for further evaluation. Spring Creek and Ellisville Fire Departments and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also responded to this incident.
Both scenes presented challenges that local fire departments rarely face due to the extreme cold weather we are currently experiencing. McCord’s Fire Chief Rich Lindsey said that everyone on scene relied on their training to adapt quickly to the situation and achieve the best possible outcome for each incident.
According to Chief Lindsey, twenty or more volunteer firefighters responded to each incident. He said, “Nearly every firefighter on these scenes missed or re-arranged family functions and obligations to love their neighbor. It was truly heartwarming to see so many put the needs of others ahead of their own and exemplify the true meaning of Christmas.” He went on to say, “This is what our volunteers do everyday! Serving as a volunteer in emergency services is truly a labor of love. May God Bless each and all who are serving this Christmas season to ensure their communities are safe!”
