The Venus Volunteer Fire Department, Johnson County, Texas, was dispatched at 12:50 am, 2/9/03 to a fully involved structure fire on FM1807, southwest of town.
Since it was in a rural area without fire hydrants, mutual aid from Alvarado Fire Department was called in. One engine from Alvarado and two engines from the Lillian Volunteer Fire Department responded.
Upon arrival, the mobile home was totally involved with 2 cars parked close to the structure. The Venus engine tried to protect the two cars, however, explosions started happening in the garage and they had to pull back. When they backed away, they lost the car closest to the garage. They were able to save the second car which was pulled away by the brush truck.
Three engines were shuffling water from a hydrant over one mile away. Still, there were time periods when the 2 hoses attacking the structure were standing by, out of water.
Two occupants in the house escaped, one with burns on his arm.
The fire was declared contained at 3:02 am. The weather conditions during the incident were: 38 degrees, drizzling rain, and 10-15 mph winds.
