Early Morning Geneva County House Fire

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Posted by: JRTyson
[email protected]
Date: Mar 24 2023 9:36 AM

Malvern – Around 4:30 this morning Malvern Volunteer Fire and City of Slocomb Fire and Rescue were dispatched by Geneva County to a structure fire in the 1300 Block of Malvern Highway.

Upon arrival of first Malvern units on scene they advised there was a single-story wood frame residence fully involved. Malvern and Slocomb had fire apparatus on scene within minutes of the initial call.

Slocomb Fire’s Operations Chief Brandon Hovey was commanding the scene.

Slocomb Engine initially shuttled water from their engine to Malvern engine while a water supply was established at the hydrant. Firefighters used a 1.75” and a 2.5” attack line along with a portable monitor to battle the blaze.

Slocomb Rescue was familiar with the residence from medical calls in the past and knew at one time an elderly female lived at the residence. Command advised Slocomb Assistant Fire Chief Tim Carnes and FF Ethyn Wilkerson to complete a VEIS, Vent Enter Isolate Search, to look for any residence inside. A Vent Enter Search is when firefighters break out and enter a window of a specific bedroom and search the room quickly. It must be completed timely and efficiently not to allow the fire to flow back into the room with the broken window. The room was clear of all occupants.

Slocomb Fire Chief Kyle Hovey and Malvern Fire Chief Anthony Johnson oversaw pumping operations of fire trucks. Multiple firefighters from Slocomb and Malvern battled the roof collapse and brought the fire under control in a defensive fire and were able to clear the house of all occupants.

Alabama Power responded to disconnect the power.

Hwy 52 between Merritt’s fireworks and the water tower was down to one lane closed for a few hours while fire trucks and fire hose was blocking the west bound lanes.

The home was determine to be vacant and no power had been to the structure for two months. Slocomb Police and Geneva County Sherriff Department responded to assist with traffic control. No injuries were reported.

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