Photos & Story by
Firefighter Rodney E. Young
New Hope Volunteer Fire Department

On July 4, 2002, at 5:30pm, members of the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to assist Gastonia Fire Department with a working structure fire.

Upon arrival, heavy fire and smoke was visible. Initial information was inconclusive whether the residence was occupied or not. While suppression efforts were put in effect, a primary search of the residence was made, and it was determined that no one was in the home at the time of the fire.

Fire ground operations were hindered by several factors, including:

• An exposure, being a dirt-track race car containing high-octane racing fuel parked directly beside the residence. It was eventually moved by the owner during suppression efforts.
• Handgun and ammunition discharging inside the residence.
• Weather - extreme temperature (>95 degrees F.); high humidity, took it's toll on firefighters.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire started in a window-unit air-conditioner. The structure was a total loss. American Red Cross provided temporary emergency assistance to the family of four.