Story/Photos by RICHARD GILES

While Stillwater firefighters were completing operations at a residential fire at 1624 S. Springfield about 11:30 PM on November 1, 2002, they were notified by Dispatch of a second residential fire located near the 7000 block of West McElroy outside the city limits.

Ambulance 2 and Pumper 3 were dispatched from their stations and Pumper 4 and the Battalion Chief responded from the fire scene.

A recall of the B Shift was initiated and Rural 2 (Tanker) was dispatched to the fire as soon as manpower was available. A tanker was also requested and responded from the Glencoe Volunteer Fire Department.

Ambulance 2 was first to arrive on the scene and reported heavy fire in a single story brick venered residence with a second wood frame dwelling with wood shingle siding exposed just 4 feet away on side 3 (north).

When Pumper 3 arrived, two attack lines were stretched and an exterior attack begun to protect the exposure. Pumper 4 arrived shortly and also stretched two attack lines and initiated exterior attack on sides 1 and 4.

Because of limited water supply and the extreme exposure, a 3 inch line was stretched from Pumper 4 and used to knock down the main body of fire.

Firefighters were able to gain access to the north attic of the involved structure by means of a pull-down stairway in the garage and were successful in keeping the fire from spreading through this area to the exposure.

The involved dwelling was heavily damaged, but the exposure was saved with no damage.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 8:30 AM on November 2 to complete extinguishment and assure there were no rekindles.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and has not yet been determined.