The two remaining houses behind Boger City Baptist Church were burned down in training exercises for more than 50 firefighters Saturday. Thick black smoke could be seen from as far away as Generals Boulevard and East Main Street. Photos by Jon Mayhew/TCS

HOUSEFIRES DRAW CROWDS, TEACH
FIREFIGHTERS HOW TO FIGHT FIRES

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It looked more like a community meeting Saturday in the parking lot of Boger City Baptist Church. Families came to support firefighters gathered to fight two housefires located on Smith Street, behind the church. And before dusk fell in Lincolnton Saturday, two homes were completely burned to the ground.

And the people who owned the homes wanted them to be that way.

More than 50 firefighters gathered behind Boger City Baptist Church on Saturday to fight two housefires. It wasn't structure fire calls, however, that brought five departments together; it was training fires in two vacant residences.

Burl Shrum has served in fire services for about 30 years. As he suited up to train with fellow North 321 Fire Department firefighters, he recollected on the importance of participating in training exercises.

While firefighters let the second house burn, they keep the fire in check.

"Fighting fires," said Shrum. "That's something I like to do."

Onlookers -- like Stan and Tina Rash of Lincolnton -- were there to support a family member taking part in the exercises.

"We' here for our son," said Tina Rash.

The crowds increased throughout the day with some people on cell phones, telling others of what was developing near Boger City Pawn; others took pictures, while more people simply stood and watched the drama unfolding before tham.

Fire Departments from Lincolnton, Boger City, North 321, South Fork and Howards Creek participated in the exercises. The Lincoln County Emeregency Management "bus" was out to give firefighters an additional place to rehabilitate, and Lincoln Rescue was on hand in case of medical emergency.

Lunch for the firefighters was provided by The Homeplace Restaurant and David Heavner.

According to Lincolnton Fire Department's Bill Fortenberry, firefighters got training in every room of each house.

"They learned how to handle different scenarios, including how to fight a fire in the basement of one of the homes," said Fortenberry.

Around 1 p.m., as firefighters were practicing on the second house, the first house was set on fire to burn down.

Firefighters use the term "letting the house go" when it's time for the final burn.

Fire chews through the roof of one of the houses.

Boger City Baptist Church officials said they plan on using the land the homes once stood for an eventual parking lot.

Fortenberry said that people have donated homes for firefighters to conduct practice burns. Before accepting a home, fire officials make sure there is a clear title and the homeowner understands the home is donated to the fire department.

For more information, contact Lincolnton Fire Department at 704-736-8920.

The front of the house at 2312 Smith Street