ASHFORD: 08:55 AM Houston County 911 dispatched Ashford Fire, Ashford Rescue,Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Police, Houston County Sheriff Deputies to a structure fire at 329 N. County Road 55. At the time of dispatched Houston County 911 reported to responding units batteries were on fire inside the residence.
On the arrival of Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey he reported this was a working structure fire. Chief Posey said smoke was coming from the doors, this was a working fire, an offensive attack. Chief Posey instructed all incoming fireman to have fire suits on.
Chief Posey reported this was a lithium ION battery fire and structure fire. Chief Posey requested Houston County 911 to notify Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management. Chief Posey also requested additional manpower. Houston County 911 dispatched Lovetown Volunteer Fire and Cottonwood Volunteer Fire.
Just before Cottonwood Voluteer Fire arrived the interrior attack reported inside under control and Cottonwood Fire could be cancelled.
North Couty Road 55 was blocked. There was a fire hydrant directly acorss from the residence that fire engines connected to. Chief Posey said the road would be blocked for an extended period of time due to the batteries. That he was in contact with manufacturer of the batteries because they were still flaring up.
UNCONFIRMED but the batteries were solar batteries which helped power the house.
At 9:47 AM Wiregrass Electric Co-Op was on the scene disconnecting power. ( Alabama Power needs some lessons from Wiregrass Electric Co-Op on responding to emergencies !!!
Ashford Police blocked one side of North County Road 55 and Ashford Rescue blocked the other side. No Houston County Sheriff Deputies were on the scene.
Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey called for notification of Dothan – Houston County Emrgency Management Agency. As of 9:59 AM no one with Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management had arrived on the scene. That is not necessarily the fault of Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management Director Mark Powell, but the fault of the five useless Houston County Commissioners and Chairman who hired him and their instructions – Chairman Brandon Shoupe, D1 Curtis Harvey, D2 Tracy Adams, D3 Ricky Herring who is also a Sergeant with Houston County Sheriff Department who is double dipping, and D4 James Ivey who is also a Captain with Houston County Sheriff Department who is double dipping.
UPDATED @ 10:52 AM
Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management Director Mark Powell arrived on the scene at 10:40 AM.
