Story and Photos by Bob Bartosz
Shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Oct 13, 2013, Nash County (NC) 911 Center received calls for an apartment on fire. Fire departments from Whitakers, Battleboro, and Salem were dispatched to 806-08 Edgecombe Street in the Whitakers section of Nash County. Companies were updated that they were responding to a dryer fire and the residents reported that smoke and flames were showing.
The first-in pumpers from Whitakers were arriving and reported that they had smoke showing from a one story duplex apartment building and were going into service with an 1 3/4-inch line. Battleboro firefighters were second on location an dropped a 5-inch supply line on the way in, and their fire crews supplied a second 1 3/4 inch line to back up Whitakers.
Firefighters had the rear section of the apartment which stored the laundry room with heavy fire and smoke coming from the room and appliances. The fire had spread into the walls and the ceiling and was working its way to the roof.
Whitakers crew had the bulk of the fire knocked down while Battleboro’s crew went into the rear bedroom to open the ceiling and check for extensions.
Firefighters opened the roof up and were met with heavy smoke and fire conditions. As a third line was stretched by Battleboro and Salem fire companies and taken into the adjoining apartment, firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the rear of the first apartment. The fire was placed under control in about 30 minutes. Firefighters remained on the scene conducting overhaul for a few hours, checking for hot spots, and assisting the fire victims.
The Red Cross was called to help out the victims and a total of 35 fire fighters and Nash County EMS were on the scene. There were no reports of injuries.
According to Whitakers Fire Chief Mutzabaugh, the fire began in the dryer and extended into the walls before the occupants noticed the fire and called the fire department.
One apartment received fire, smoke, and water damage and the adjoining apartment received smoke damage only.
See more photos HERE.
