Firefighters from Cruose, Lincolnton, Howards Creek and Cherryville Fire Departments conducted a practice burn Saturday at a house on Higheay 150 at Hilltop Road. Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop

FIREFIGHTERS FROM FOUR DEPARTMENTS PRACTICE
FIGHTING FIRE SATURDAY

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

CROUSE FIRE DISTRICT -- Firetrucks both lined and blocked Highway 150 at Hilltop Road Saturday as firefighters watched smoke billow from a residence.

They weren't actually responding to a fire, however; they were burning the house down for practice.

Crouse volunteer firefighter Janine Henderson watched as smoke billowed from the residence, as firefighters kept in practice on what to do with a housefire.

"I'm preparing to go in," said Henderson as she watched the fire unfold before her. "We had flames coming out of the front bedroom window at one point."

The practice burn, which lasted from 9am to about 1pm Saturday, was an opportunity for firefighters to keep their skills sharp in case the real thing were to happen.

Firefighters from Lincolnton, Crouse, and Howards Creek in Lincoln County and Cherryville in Gaston County participated in the exercise.

Crouse Fire Chief Clyde Ledford Junior said it's not everyday the fire department gets a structure to burn and the department gracouosly accepted the opportunity.

"The person who bought the house contacted us to have it burnt," said Ledford. "It gives the guys added experience in how to face the intense heat and also gives them the opportunity to further use the self-contained breathing apparatusses."

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department provided traffic control, blocking the intersection of Highway 150 and Highway 27 west. A fire truck also blocked Highway 150 at Hilltop Road.

People were able to drive across Highway 150 at Hilltop, straining necks and slowing down to take a look at a fire. Smoke at one point could be seen from far away.

Henderson said the training was good after she came from the residence.

She said at one point, there were three separate fires going in the house at the same time.

"One of them we intended to set," said Henderson. "The other two started by themselves."