Firefighters battle fire involving two structures, brush in Russell County
Numerous emergency agencies responded Wednesday evening to an active fire in the Mount Olive community of Russell County.
The fire was reported near the intersection of Fanny’s Loop and Alabama Highway 165 around 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2026.
Officials say two structures were involved in the fire, which also spread into surrounding brush. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Fire crews from the Fort Mitchell, Mount Olive, Uchee Creek and Crawford volunteer fire departments responded to the scene, along with Care Ambulance and the Phenix City Police Department.
Fort Mitchell fire officials said the department responded with eight firefighters and three trucks.
Mount Olive reported responding with one firefighter and one truck, while Crawford fire officials said they responded with seven firefighters and three trucks. Uchee Creek fire officials said they responded with seven firefighters and four trucks.
According to eyewitnesses who were among the first people to arrive at the scene, they attempted to establish a fire break around the fire before fire crews arrived. The eyewitnesses reportedly suffered minor scrapes while assisting with efforts to slow the fire but were OK.
One eyewitness told CNAW2News that an abandoned double-wide mobile home was fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading into the surrounding brush.
Nearby residents also took action before firefighters arrived. Residents at a nearby home used garden hoses to help prevent the fire from spreading onto their property, while eyewitnesses assisted with efforts to establish a fire break.
CNAW2News crews at the scene observed residents continuing to use garden hoses as firefighters worked to contain the fire.
A heavy plume of black smoke from the fire could be seen from approximately a mile away.
As firefighters continued battling the blaze, a small rainstorm moved through the Mount Olive community. Additional manpower was requested as crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading further.
The Alabama Forestry Commission also responded to the scene to assist firefighters with establishing a fire break.
The fire was eventually fully extinguished around 8:10 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
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