Jackson, MS, Aerial Ladder Destroyed, Other Rigs Damaged by Fire
A shift in winds spread flames to a Jackson Fire Department aerial platform that was being used at an apartment fire last week. The fire damaged two other fire apparatus.
Officials believe squatters may have started the fire in a vacant, wood-frame apartment building late Thursday.
"When the wind shifted, it surrounded the apparatus and the crew on scene at the time," Fire Chief RaSean Thomas told WAPT.com. "They utilized their safety and training, which we use every day here at the Jackson Fire Department, to save their own lives, but they were not able to save the apparatus.
Truck 28's aerial was raised and videos showed that flames destroyed the cab and pump areas and the bucket and aerial.
“It’s going to have to be replaced because it’s a total loss,” Thomas told WLBT.com.
A second fire apparatus sustained damage significant enough to sideline the truck. A third rig was placed out of service, but officials said it can be repaired.
Thomas said that a spare rig would be used while the department plans to replace Truck 28 and that service delivery would not be impacted.
It was reported as a grass fire in the Battlefield Park neighborhood and flames quickly spread to the building.
About the Author
Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.