Busy week for Licking Rural Fire
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The volunteers of Licking Rural Fire Department were dispatched just after 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 12 to a residential structure fire on Highway C, about five miles north of Licking.
En route to the fire station, firefighters requested mutual aid of Raymondville Volunteer Fire Department and Houston Rural Fire Department. After arriving at the scene and seeing the structure was fully involved, the Lenox Rural Fire Department was also called upon for assistance. Intercounty Electric Cooperative responded to the scene to disconnect power.
Firefighters mounted a defensive attack. At approximately 7:33 a.m., the fire was declared under control. Firefighters remained for salvage and overhaul.
No injuries were reported. Approximately 20,000 gallons of water were needed to extinguish the fire.
LRFD Fire Chief Aaron Greathouse thanked the following agencies for their part in managing this fire: Texas County 911, Rolla Central Dispatch, Dent County Dispatch, Texas County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Raymondville Volunteer Fire Department, Houston Rural Fire Department, Lenox Rural Fire Department, Texas County Memorial Hospital EMS, American Red Cross, Intercounty Electric Cooperative and Licking School District.
“Licking Rural Fire Department, Raymondville Volunteer Fire Department, Houston Rural Fire Department and Lenox Rural Fire Department are all 100 percent volunteer and stations are not staffed 24/7,” Chief Greathouse said. “These volunteers serve our community without any monetary gain but do it simply to help others in a time of need. I am proud of everyone that responded to this call for help.”
Less than a week later, LRFD was asked to provide mutual aid at a commercial fire in Salem, at their Sheltered Workshop, Scenic Rivers Industries. The building was fully involved and the fire had spread to the adjacent warehouse located behind it. Firefighters from Dent County Fire Protection District were dispatched to the fire at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17. Twelve additional fire departments provided assistance for manpower, pumpers, tankers and aerial trucks. A defensive attack was conducted due to the heavy fire and unsafe conditions.
The cause of the fire was under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.
In addition to the loss of the Sheltered Workshop, gifts had been stored at the facility for this year’s Dent County Toy Drive. Thanks to many generous donors, all financial and toy needs were quickly met, and the toy distribution was able to go on, though it was delayed until Monday, December 23.
