DFD’s quick work prevents major disaster

By Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:05 PM MDT


A potential disaster was avoided Tuesday night thanks to the Douglas Fire Department’s quick and efficient handling of a structure fire in the 200 block of Fourth Street.



Douglas Fire Chief Mario Novoa said the call came in around 8:40 p.m. and there was immediate concern when it was reported the building on fire was located behind the Border Mart gas station, the Ortiz Lumberyard on Third Street and across the street from Auto Zone.

To make matters worse live electrical power lines had fallen to the ground and fire fighters were forced to take a different approach in battling the blaze until local APS crews arrived on the scene to cut off the power.

Raul Montano, owner of Border Mart, had been at a local Little League game watching his son play when he got the call about the fire.

“I was very concerned,” he said. “The (gas) tanks and pumps were right there. All gas stations are very safe and we all have emergency shutoff values but having (the fire) so close was a problem.”

Border Mart shutdown its store for close to an hour as smoke from the blaze went inside the building making it difficult to see and breath at times. Montano said he stopped selling gas until Chief Novoa gave him the okay to resume fearing the fumes from the gas could possibly ignite.

“With all the old buildings in the area plus the gas tanks and the lumber yard there was a real attempt made to keep this fire from spreading,” Chief Novoa said. “Fortunately we had no wind and there was very little debris outside which helped.”

Inside the burning structure was a different story.

Chief Nova said the building, a four bedroom two bath single family dwelling, was supposedly abandoned. Montano said in the 12 years Border Mart has been opened no one has lived there but yet there was all kinds of furniture inside which added fuel to the blaze making it more difficult for the firefighters to battle. Plus there were security bars on the doors and windows which also created a problem.

“When we got there the structure was fully engulfed,” the chief said. “From the smoke we could tell the fire was burning in the attic.”

The DFD used two of its bigger trucks to spray water on the roof. Once that happened the roof caved in.

The chief said it took a while for his crews to get the blaze under control as spot fires kept popping up.

Fire fighters remained on the scene throughout the night making sure no more spot fires started up again.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Novoa is happy to report no one was injured as a result of the fire.

Montano said the DFD did an excellent job of keeping not only his building but the other structures in the area safe.

“I’m very grateful to them,” he said. “It could have been much worse.”

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Thank God Living Out of Town wrote on May 8, 2009 10:37 PM:

    " Great job DFD! It is nice to read a story by a great reporter that doesn't look like a third grader wrote it. Keep up the great work! As for Niki, I think all public safety employees see danger everyday, maybe they all should get an award or a simple THANK YOU! "

    Ana wrote on May 6, 2009 9:38 PM:

    " Your are correct! Chief Novoa faces different challenges everyday but his great dedication, his responsibility, and great pride and honor that he carries is what makes his a leader that the City of Douglas officals and citizens should be very proud to have. I congratulate Chief Novoa, Captains, Ayala, Hurtado and Luzania and all Fire Department personnel for all thier professionalism and dedication given to all the citizens of this community. " You all are ours Heroes. Thank you for all you all do! "

    Niki wrote on May 5, 2009 7:36 PM:

    " I am very proud of our Fire Department. They usually do a great job. I was there watching that fire and one Police Officer kept yelling at them that the power line had power in it. They kept ignoring him. They are lucky they didn't get shocked by the power and water. He saved their lives by keeping yelling at them to stay away from the power. He should get an award for seeing the danger. "

    Leroy wrote on May 5, 2009 5:54 PM:

    " Great Job!!! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
    You all are greatly appreciated. "

    JADBKS wrote on May 5, 2009 12:01 PM:

    " Chief Mario Novoa has turned the DFD into a department that all citizens of Douglas should be proud of! He works hard everyday to keep the people of this town safe & sound! His responsibility is great and he takes it on daily, with the great diligence with great pride, and with great honor....we need more people like Chief Novoa in our city leadership, he stands for what is right and he never compromises himself or his men. Let the Mayor, city manager, and all the people of Douglas take notice of this honest hard working hero we have in our department! Keep up the good work Chief! "

    Marcos wrote on May 3, 2009 11:42 PM:

    " good job, you guys have come a long way from the days when you use to let half of the town burn down befor you showed up. That was just what two or three years ago. well good job anyway. "

    Ed wrote on Apr 30, 2009 1:08 PM:

    " Mario and DFD....great work! A safe, strategically appropriate operation. "

    3rd Street resident wrote on Apr 29, 2009 10:23 PM:

    " Great Job! I like to Salute Chief Novoa and the Firefighters for all the bravery and for keeping the fire in that general area. There's your brotherhood. Again, Great Job!! "

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