Southwest Fire Department responds to three fires across Lee County in one week
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- Southwest Fire Department responded to three fires across Lee County in one week, including two residential structure fires and one vehicle fire.
- One firefighter suffered heat-related injury and several others treated for heat illness; unattended cooking caused Loachapoka fire; causes of other fires under investigation.
The Southwest Fire Department responded to three separate fire incidents over the past week, including residential structure fires in Loachapoka and Auburn, as well as a vehicle fire in the Beauregard community.
Kitchen fire contained in Loachapoka
The first incident occurred shortly after midnight on July 15 when firefighters were dispatched to Lee Road 188 in Loachapoka for a reported residential structure fire with possible occupants still inside.
Image: Southwest Fire Department
According to Southwest Fire Department officials, Engine 712 arrived within three minutes of dispatch and found smoke coming from a single-wide mobile home. Firefighters entered the residence and confirmed all occupants had safely evacuated. Crews located a fire in the kitchen and quickly brought it under control, preventing it from spreading beyond the room of origin.
No injuries were reported. The fire was determined to have been caused by unattended cooking.
Southwest Fire responded with three apparatus and five personnel. The Farmville Volunteer Fire Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.
Vehicle fire threatens nearby home in Beauregard
Later that same morning, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Southwest Fire was dispatched as automatic aid to the Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department for a reported vehicle and structure fire on Lee Road 165.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames with concerns the fire had spread to a nearby residence. Crews deployed a hose line and quickly extinguished the fire, preventing any extension into the home.
Southwest Fire responded with one apparatus and three personnel to assist Beauregard firefighters. Salem Volunteer Fire & Rescue, the Lee County Emergency Management Agency, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Southwest assists Auburn firefighters at working house fire
The third incident occurred late Friday night, July 17, when Southwest Fire was requested as mutual aid to a working residential structure fire on Ella Grace Drive in Auburn.
Truck 717 responded within one minute of dispatch with two personnel and the department’s Mobile Cascade System. Upon arrival, Southwest firefighters were assigned to interior fire attack operations and firefighter rehabilitation and air bottle refill operations.
Image: Southwest Fire Department
Firefighters remained on scene for approximately three hours before being released by Auburn Fire Command.
One firefighter was transported by EMS for a heat-related injury, while multiple other firefighters were treated at the scene for heat-related illnesses. No civilian injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Auburn Fire Department Investigations Division.
Southwest Fire Department officials said they maintained a staffed engine company to provide fire protection coverage for western Lee County while crews assisted in Auburn.
The department operated alongside multiple Auburn Fire Department units, the Farmville Volunteer Fire Department, East Alabama EMS, Lee County EMA, and the Auburn Police Department.
Officials praised the cooperation between agencies and the dedication of volunteer firefighters who responded to each incident throughout the week.
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