Careers & Education

FL Firefighters Replace Veteran's Burned Flag

Oct. 3, 2018

After Marion County firefighters doused a blaze that damaged an elderly Air Force veteran's American flag, they returned later with a replacement.

Source Ocala Star-Banner, Fla.

Marion County firefighters pose with an unidentified Air Force veteran whose American flag was burned during a vehicle fire at his home in Ocala, FL, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018.

Oct 02 -- OCALA, FL -- A fire that started in a vehicle on Monday quickly spread to a nearby shed and set some grass on fire, and also damaged the high-flying American flag of a military veteran.

Firefighters with Marion County Fire Rescue not only squelched the fire, they came back a little bit later and replaced the flag for the grateful veteran.

According the agency's Public Information Officer James Lucas, he was not able to provide the man's name but did say he is a retiree of the United States Air Force and had served his country for 23 years.

A post on the agency's social media page noted that units were dispatched to the Silver Springs RV Resort at 11:39 a.m. Monday in response to a vehicle fire.

A Marion County firefighter hangs an American flag after another was damaged by a vehicle fire at the home of an Air Force veteran in Ocala, FL, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018.

"The 911 caller reported that not only was his vehicle fully involved and several explosions had already occurred, but the fire was rapidly approaching his shed," the post stated.

MCFR Lynne Fire Station No. 4's rescue crew and Anthony fire station No. 1's engine crew arrived on scene in a little more than seven minutes. They found the vehicle and shed fully involved, along with the minor grass fire.

"Firefighters immediately deployed two hose lines to extinguish the blaze and had water on the fire in less than two minutes. MCFR Operations Engine Company No. 33 arrived on scene to assist shortly thereafter. The fire was under control at 11:55 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation," the online post stated.

The flag that was being flown by the veteran was damaged by radiant heat from the fire. Crew members from Company No. 33 properly retired the man's damaged flag. They also bought a new flag and returned to hoist it high for the veteran.

"Returning to the scene of the fire, crew members raised the new flag, earning the respect and admiration of this veteran for going above and beyond the call of duty," Lucas noted in the post.