“We got a call for a commercial fire alarm about 10 minutes after the wreck,” said Newton Grove fire chief Joey Eason. “That fire was soon called a structure fire.”
Eason reported that his assistant chief Keith Bowling, who owns the retirement center, was sent to control the small blaze, which is said to have started from a faulty bed cord.
“He was with me, and when we heard the call come through, I sent him over there right away,” said Eason. “His staff did a wonderful job. A couple of the nurses put out the fire and evacuated everyone — they did a great job.”
Bowling agrees, “They evacuated the building, and my girls really jumped right to it to get everyone taken care of,” he said.
Because of those quick actions, there were no injuries reported to any of the 42 residents and each one was back in the facility just two hours after it started.
“Everyone just came together,” said Bowling. “The staff, the residents and the families — everyone pitched in and got everything cleaned up. I am just thankful that it all turned out fine.”
Vann Crossroads firefighters were also called for the wreck scene and were diverted to Rolling Ridge Retirement Center to assist.
“They came to help,” said Eason. “They were enroute to the wreck and we just sent them to Rolling Ridge because the wreck was under control.”
When they arrived, the Vann Crossroads firefighters directed traffic in front of the building.
“It all went very smooth,” said Bowling. “There was very limited fire damage, besides the bed.”
Although no official word has come from the fire marshal on what specifically started the small fire, Eason said he is confident that it was the cord shorting out.
“We will know for sure after that report,” he said. “But the way it looks right now, it looks like it was the bed shorting out.”
To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.
Post a Comment
