Chesterfield Firefighter David "Doc" Watson was spending some quality time with his kids. What began as a trip to a local bookstore ended up being a life-saving event.
"I had left the bookstore," Watson said,"me and the kids were headed home with our purchases. I saw fire in the sky and thought to myself that it would be a good experience for the kids to see up close what firefighters do. I arrived on the scene at 1010 Mill Forest Drive expecting to see firefighters and apparatus but was surprised instead when I saw a house with heavy fire through the roof."
"I called 9-1-1 immediately", Watson explained, "and ran to the front door of the burning home, loudly banging on it trying to discover if anyone was home."
Two adults were inside and Watson quickly escorted them to safety.
Watson's emergency call went out at 1939 hours on Feb. 9.
Apparatus responding included: Bon Air #4, Midlothian #5, Courthouse #20, Truck 9 (Buford), Tactical Safety Officer (TSO), Battalion's 3 and 4.
Arriving firefighters discovered a three story structure with heavy fire through the roof.
An additional call was dispatched which resulted in the following apparatus being dispatched: Engine 204 (Volunteer Engine-Bon Air), Engine 205 (Volunteer Engine-Midlothian) and Brush 5 (Midlothian).
After the initial fire attack the remnants of the blaze received a good dousing of Class A foam to discourage flare-ups.
Fire was marked under control at 2015 hours.
Initial investigation revealed that the fire possibly originated in the attic.
Damage estimates were not available.
Firefighter Watson (Cloverhill Station #7) had desired to show his kids how firefighters work on the job. He succeeded beyond a fire attack demonstration, when instead he showed them not only how a firefighter works, but the courage they have and the willingness to serve, even when off duty and that saving lives is what firefighters do best.
