Structure Fire at Elba Chamber of Commerce last Night

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jul 13 2021 12:44 PM

ELBA :Last night at approximately 11:36pm Elba Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at the Elba Chamber of Commerce building on Putnam Street. Upon the initial alarm Elba Dispatchers advised Elba PD units on scene were reporting flames visible through the roof. New Brockton Volunteer Fire Department, Enterprise Fire Department, and Opp Fire Department were requested as mutual aid due to the size, age, and construction of the house as well as the advanced stage of the fire. Within minutes Engine 1, Engine 3, and Truck 2 responded with Truck 6 and the Air/Light Unit responding later.

Engine 1 arrived on scene first reporting of a large, single story, wood frame structure with heavy fire visible through the roof from the attic space and established Putnam Command. Engine 1 also established a water supply on the way in and immediately went to work with a master stream while crews were advancing a 1.75” pre-connected attack line to the interior and a 2.5” pre-connected attack line to the exterior. Due to the age and construction of the structure the fire was difficult to access in amongst several ceilings and multiple roof voids.

 Interior crews made progress on the fire in coordination with exterior crews until Command pulled all interior crews when the ceilings started collapsing into the structure. Exterior operations resumed with the bulk of the fire being knocked down by master stream.

After the arrival of New Brockton Engines 4 & 2, Enterprise Engine 6, and Opp Engine 10, crews transitioned back to interior operations. Most all accessible fire was extinguished before Enterprise Ladder 1 was deployed and the aerial master stream was used to finish hitting all fire left in the walls and remaining roof system.

Salvage and overhaul was then conducted before units started returning to service with Elba’s equipment returning to service at approximately 3:30am. The structure is a total loss but there are many salvageable items as it appears the vast majority of the fire was contained to the overhead. Thankfully there are no injuries to report.

Our dispatchers at Elba PD once again did a tremendous job in handling a large volume of communications. The dispatchers at Enterprise PD and Covington Command had our mutual aid assets rolling quickly and their efforts are certainly appreciated.

We can not say a big enough “Thank You” to our friends at Enterprise Rescue Inc. for all of their help on scene last night. They were asked to help in many ways such as retrieving equipment, swapping air bottles, and establishing rehab, just to name a few. They never once hesitated to help and their efforts are certainly appreciated.

Elba PD, New Brockton PD, City of Elba Electric Department, and City of Elba Water Department also responded to the scene and performed in their various capacities for which their assistance is also greatly appreciated.

We are sad to see such a prominent historical figure be ruined by a fire but, we are thankful there were no injuries and some material possessions can still be spared.

We greatly appreciate all who responded to assist and all who offered there assistance. Thank you!

 

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