| Brush 50 responded to Old Suffolk Road for fire attack. B50 first joined up with Brush 20 (Carrsville) on a fire line before being redirected to protect a home being threatened. At two different times the home had active fire on three of the four sides. One active fire line was advancing and several spot fires popped up on both sides and at the rear of the structure. B50 and Engine 41 and Tanker 40 (Windsor) subdued the fires and the home remained undamaged. In addition to the units listed below units from Carrollton, and Ivor also supported the operation.
Brush fire contained after evacuations
Updated: Monday, 16 Apr 2012, 8:59 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 15 Apr 2012, 5:33 PM EDT
Anne McNamara
WINDSOR, Va. (WAVY) - The thick black cloud of smoke could be seen for miles along Route 460 in Windsor.
It's still not clear what sparked the brush fire Sunday afternoon, but officials say it burned 100 acres. At one point, Isle of Wight Emergency Services worried the fire would jump to the other side of Route 460.
"If it does come down through here, we're ready for it," said Capt. Judson West of the Carrsville Fire Department.
West and others guarded homes near the intersection of Old Suffolk Road and Old Mill Road.
Firefighters ordered a voluntary evacuation for that area as a precaution from the spreading wildfire.
"My girls grew up here, I don't want it to go anywhere," said Samantha Carr, as she fought back tears. "My best friend lived here forever. We're just trying to save everything we can."
Carr and her family packed important documents and items connected with special memories into the car. Among them, a wedding dress.
Together, they all stood outside, staring at the big black cloud, hoping the wind wouldn't shift the wrong way.
"Even though we live in a big wooded community, brush fires really aren't common here," said Stephanie Gauvin. "So, it scared us all when it happened."
At last check, the fire was out, but hot spots remain.
Rusty Chase, Chief of Isle of Wight Emergency Services, says deputies will patrol the boundaries Sunday night and Monday morning. Chase says the fire department is ready to respond if necessary.
No firefighters were injured Sunday. Chase credits the volunteer departments for their quick response.
Fire departments on scene included Windsor, Carrsville, Smithfield and the Virginia Department of Forestry. Suffolk firefighters helped to backfill the stations working the fire. |
