AVON-HOUSTON COUNTY: 09:58 AM Houston County 911 dispatched a structure fire at Oakdale Trailer Park, 7147 East Highway 84 in Avon. Behind old Mim’s Truck Stop. At time of dispatch, fully involved, infant inside residence.
Responding to the scene, MULTIPLE Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Ashford Police, Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Volunteer Fire, Ashford Rescue. Mutual Aid response, Webb Volunteer Fire, Lovetown Volunteer Fire, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies were advised possible two children inside. Responding Houston County Sheriff Deputies reported heavy smoke from Bluff Springs Church Road.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies were first on the scene. The deputies took every fire extinguisher they had attempting to combat the fire and gain access to the children. Flames were out of the room where there infant was on the Deputies arrival. They did all possible, and fireman did all possible to reach the infant child on time, but they were unsuccessful. They second child thought to be in the fire was located and accounted for. The residents were transported by Ashford Rescue and/or Pilcher Ambulance. A volunteer fireman received minor injuries.
Let me stress, the Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Volunteer Fireman risked their lives and gave it everything humanly possible to reach this child. The Houston County Sheriff 911 Dispatchers did an outstanding job in rolling all resources needed in an effort to save this child’s life.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle, Major Bill Rafferty, CID Lt. Anthony Hatcher, CID Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Sgt. Austin Nowell – one of the first to arrive on the scene and attempt entry, Cowarts Fire Chief Roger Nall, Fireman Jonathon Nall who was holding a wet rag on his face where he received heat exposure, Ashford Fire Chief Jimmy Posey, Ashford Fireman Jeff Posey, Ashford Fire/School Board Chairman Mark Kelly, D2 Commissioner Tracy Adams, among some on the scene. Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd responded.
Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Division is in charge of the investigation. The Alabama State Fire Marshall will be notified and respond to investigate.
UPDATED @ 4:04 PM
RSN reported an infant. Houston County Sheriff Sgt. Brandon Barnes issued a press statement and the fatality victim is a 4 year old child. When the call was dispatched it was dispatched as infant. RSN took scene pictures but held the article from 10:00 AM until after noon when posted. RSN did not ask questions on the scene because everyone was busy and the responders, as you can imagine, were heartbroken as not being able to save the life of just child. This is not the outcome anyone involved in emergency services desire.
The reason I, Rickey Stokes, does not ask questions is because I have been Coroner and currently Deputy Coroner in Dale and Henry County. Have offered to assist Robert Byrd. And when on the scene as Deputy Coroner I do not cover it as news. A different hat. But from experience I know everyone is busy and I do not ask questions. And while I have worked child deaths, it tears everyone involved up and I had no desire to hang around unless I can offer some assistance.
Houston County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Austin Nowell and Houston County Sheriff Deputy Juan Uriarta were the first two on the scene. They emptied every fire extinguisher they had and did all possible to enter and rescue the child from the fire. But for reasons we will never know, GOD’S plan was different than humans. And we can not question GOD’S plan. All that can be cone is use the training and tools given, and with every ounce of energy and knowledge do your best to save lives. And being first on the scene Sgt. Nowell and Deputy Uriata did that this morning. THANKS to all who responded and tried.
