Mount Zion Fire Department Regrouping After Blaze Hits Firehouse

MOUNT ZION, Ill. -- Nearly six weeks after a fire ravaged the Mount Zion firehouse, the building is beginning to look like home again.

On Friday, crew members from S.A. Lewis Construction Inc. were hard at work replacing the roof of the firehouse's north truck bay, which was destroyed in the May 5 blaze, and continuing work on the bay's new frame

"It's a good feeling that we'll have it (the north bay) back soon and be back to where we were before the fire," said Mount Zion Fire Lt. Matt Thacker, noting that the fire has been hard on the department. "It was shocking and depressing, but I think we all knew that we had to step up our game and keep doing what we've always done."

Fire Chief Don Wright said the fire, which occurred at 4:18 a.m., started in the department's ladder truck.

"We think it was electrical," he said, adding that investigators with the Decatur Fire Department and Illinois State Fire Marshal's office determined that it began in the truck's cab. "They don't know exactly what caused it, though."

When firefighters arrived at the firehouse that May morning, they found the ladder truck ablaze inside the truck bay amid large amounts of smoke. The fire later broke through the roof.

Mount Zion firefighters received help from the American Red Cross as well as eight area fire departments. Together, the crews were able to extinguish the fire in 20 minutes, but extensive damage was done.

"Our ladder truck was destroyed, as well as a fire engine, a suburban command vehicle and a pickup truck," said Wright.

However, it could have been worse. "Our bunk, recreation room and training rooms were saved by a fire wall, so that was a plus," he said.

Another blessing was all of the community and fire agency support the department received in the wake of the incident.

"The community response was tremendous," said Wright. "The day of the fire, community members brought us food and water, and one of our fire engines that was salvaged was even washed that day. Warrensburg (Fire Protection District) loaned us a pumper truck, and even before the fire was out, Decatur (Fire Department) had a ladder truck and a command vehicle there that they loaned us. We're still using those."

With the intense heat and smoke damage the firehouse suffered, in addition to the destruction of the ladder truck and other vehicles, Wright said he'd estimate the damage at about $2.5 million.

"Emotionally, it's been tough," he added. "It's like having a fire in your home, and this is a second home to a lot of these guys."

Wright said the construction company estimated it would take three to four months to complete all of the repairs and rebuilding work. "S.A. Lewis has gotten in here and is working rapidly to get the old, damaged portion of the firehouse off and rebuilt," he said. "They're about a quarter of the way done."

The Mount Zion community is also doing its part by organizing fundraisers to benefit the department.

"We're having a Help Our Heroes Mount Zion Fire Department fundraiser on July 14," said Stacey Urquhart, one of the event organizers. "This is a communitywide effort of volunteers and local businesses, and it's something we want to do for the department."

The fundraiser will begin at 8 a.m. that day with a 5k run and a 1k walk in Fletcher Park. The day also will include a car show, antique firetruck display, firefighter challenge competition, children's activities, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle raffle and a silent auction.

"These firefighters are volunteers, and they fight fires plus work 40-hour jobs," said Urquhart. "They're not paid to protect us, they just do it, and this is our way to give back to them."

The event will go from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all proceeds going to the fire department.

"This event means a lot to me because my other half, Rodney Hagan, is a volunteer firefighter, and my stepson, Deryke, wants to be a firefighter himself when he gets older," said Urquhart.

Mark Scranton, another event co-chairman who also volunteered with the Mount Zion Fire Department for 13 years, said the fundraiser is close to his heart.

"What happened with the firehouse is pretty devastating," he said Friday. "Insurance will pay for some of the damage, but not all of it. We just want to help raise some money and help get things back on track for them."

Scranton noted that Help Our Heroes also plans to host a firefighters ball in the fall.

"The July 14 event is more family-friendly, but we want to have a more upscale event in September," he said. "Between the two events, we want to raise around $100,000 for the department."

"We just want the community to come out and support the fire department," Urquhart said.

Wright said he's thankful to both the community and area fire departments for their enduring support.

"After the fire, the community and a lot of (fire) agencies really helped us," he said. "It really shows the camaraderie there is in the fire service and here in Mount Zion."

"It's nice to know we're supported by the community and the other agencies," Thacker reiterated. "We didn't expect all of the help they gave us, but they really helped us when we were down."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service