The Stillwater, Oklahoma Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke coming from a residential ranch style home at 211 East Burris Road. This is in the rural area on the outskirts of the city and is served by small water lines with very limited supply.
Pumpers 1 and 3, Rural 2 (tanker), Ambulance 2, and Medic 1 under the command of Battalion Chief Eric Seeliger responded from Stations 1, 2 and 3.
Pumper 3 reported a smoke column visible from over a mile away while enroute. Upon arrival reported heavy smoke from the house with some fire showing from the attached garage on side 2.
The crew initiated an interior attack from side 3 with a 1 3/4 inch line supplied from the tank on Pumper 3, but were driven out by the intense heat. An exterior attack was then undertaken. Rural 2 arrived and supplied Pumper 3 from its tank via a 3 inch supply line. A second line was then placed into action.
When Pumper 1 arrived, their crew initiated attack on side 2 with a 1 3/4 inch line supplied from their tank until it was exhausted. The crew then hand laid a 3 inch line to a hydrant on Burris Road. However, this supplied only enough water to feed one line.
Fed by a 15 -20 mph wind from the south, the fire gained access to the attic and spread rapidly throughout the structure.
Water supply quickly became a problem and Battalion Chief Seeliger requested Tanker 1 (8,000 gallons) to respond from the Oklahoma State University Environmental Health and Safety Dept. When this unit arrived, the fire was extinguished. The building was a total loss.
