UPDATED @ 10:56 AM. 6:54 PM Structure Fire Dispatched Cummings Drive - Ashford

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Jul 24 2024 6:56 PM

ASHFORD:     Houston County 911 has dispatched Ashford Fire and Cowarts Fire, Ashford Rescue, and Houston County Sheriff Deputies to a structure fire on Cummings Circle.

Cummings Circle runs between U.S. Highway 84 and Christmas Road.

This is a working structure fire.

UPDATED @ 9:22 PM   

This fire was located in Avon with the fire jurisdiction being Cowarts Volunteer Fire Department.

There was not a fire hydrant which is the responsibility of the Town of Avon. 

Before any fire engine company arrived the smoke could be seen from Dothan. As I passed Chic-Fil-A the smoke was visible from there while I was rolling to it.

Ashford Fire Department was holding a training meeting at the time the call came in. There were about 14 fireman and firewomen at the training meeting when the call was dispatched. Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey assumed command of the fire scene. Cowarts Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Nall was also on the scene. Fire Command reported the structure was well involved on arrival and announced a defensive fire attack only. It was to dangerous for anyone to enter the structure.

The fire command called for water tanker trucks to be dispatched. Water trucks from Webb Volunteer Fire Department, Pansey Volunteer Fire Department, Lovetown Volunteer Fire Department, and Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. Also responding were volunteer fireman from each of the departments listed, but in addition Kinsey Volunteer Fire and Rehobeth Fire were on the scene.

Ashford Rescue, Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Cottonwood Police, Cowarts Mayor Randy Rowland, and D2 Houston County Commissioner Tracy Adams was on the scene.

There were about 50 firemen and firewomen on the scene of the fire. All worked within their power to save what they could. The residence was a total loss.

Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief Association contacted the Red Cross to assist the displaced residents with immediate needs.

Wiregrass Electric responded and cut the power to the residence.

Neighbors heard a lightning pop just before the house caught on fire. No official cause has been determined but it is believed to be lightning strike as the cause of the fire.

At 9:43 PM, all of the fireman, as they return to their stations, have to (1) fill their trucks with fuel for the 911 call that has not happened yet, (2) fill the fire engines with water for the 911 call that has not happened yet, (3) re-stack the fire hoses for the 911 call that has not happened yet, (4) fill their air bottles with air for the 911 call that has not happended yet, (5) clean their gear for the 911 call that has not happened yet.

As soon as they walk inside their homes, their spouse will senf them DIRECTLY to the shower because they stink, are sweaty and smell like fire. Then will get them something to eat. If able to sleep all night without a 911 call, then get up tomorrow and go to where they make a living. Because all of this work is for free, for their neighbors and community.

Tonight was a great example of the volunteer system of fire and EMS in Houston County.

I WANT THE CITIZENS TO KNOW ... there was a definite atmosphere of non trust as to what the Houston County Commissioners are up to with this so called committee on Fire and EMS. Multiple fireman mentioned it and not one single one of the 50 or so had any complimentary words or expression of trust of Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe or any of the four voting Houston County Commissioners. Last Tuesday there was a Volunteer Fire Chief Meeting and not one single commissioner came to the meeting and discussed this committee and the week before was a EMS Association meeting and not one single commissioner came and discussed this committee with them.

While D2 Commissioner Tracy Adams was on the scene, he was not there fighting the fire but will give credit he was on the scene. But the some 50 men and women on the scene fighting the fire were just getting home from work and at 85 degrees without the fire, they dressed in fire attire and worked to do what they could for this family.

But no one there trust the Houston County Commissioners and feel there is way to sneakiness going on with them. The volunteers were not given the document that Chairman Brandon Shoupe read Thursday and were not aware of it until the Houston County Commission Administrative Meeting. And what the document read and what Houston County Commission Chairman said on the news Monday, Shoupe is reported to already be lying.

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, Chairman Shoupe makes around $ 89,000.00 a year, plus     $ 6,500.00 a year auto allowance ( at least that is what former Chairman Culver was making ), and the county commissioners make $ 33,000.00 a year plus what cost of living raises they have gotten, plus $ 250.00 a month auto allowance, plus health insurance, plus in 10 years vested in the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

The some 50 plus volunteer men and women who were sweating and fighting to save what they could for people they do not even know, make nothing, drive their own vehicles, burn their own gas, do not get health insurance, do not get retirement, and fell this Houston County Commission is urinating in their faces.

CHALLENGE ME SHOUPE OR ANY COMMISSIONER CHALLENGE ME AS TO WHAT I HAVE SAID THAT I AM NOT CORRECT THIS IS THE FEELING OF THOSE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT WERE WORKING TONIGHT TO SAVE THIS HOUSE. I DARE YOU !!!

UPDATED @ 10:56 AM  

Updated on Thursday with scene pictures.

 

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