Fire Chief Urges Caution With Heating Equipment After Two House Fires Sparked Locally Last Week
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Fire Chief Urges Caution With Heating Equipment After Two House Fires Sparked Locally Last Week -
Here are images from the two structure fires the Schulenburg Fire Department responded to last week – left, the fire at Carmen Stoner’s house Tuesday, and right, the fire on Foster Branch Road Friday.
Schulenburg Fire Chief Darren Guentert advises everyone to exercise caution while trying to stay warm after his department responded to two structure fires last week. Both were caused by heating equipment.
Last Tuesday, Jan. 20, Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department got a call around 11:30 p.m. reporting a house on fire in the 1000 block of Bohlmann Ave. in Schulenburg, near Wolter’s Park. Guentert said the fire started at a heater in the garage. Two people were inside the home when the call came in. Guentert said both got out by the time firefighters arrived.
“We knocked down the flames and began an interior attack,” Guentert said. “The house was pretty damaged but we were able to save a lot of the contents.”
The garage and kitchen suffered the most damage. Guentert said about 20 firefighters with five fire trucks responded to the scene. They put out the flames and left the scene around 3:30 a.m. Fayette County EMS, Schulenburg Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office all assisted.
The home belongs to Carmen Stoner, who lived there with her daughter. Donations are being accepted at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, where both of them work. At this time they need cleaning supplies, trash bags, gift cards, toiletries and laundry detergent. A benefit account has also been set up at Sacred Heart Credit Union. In addition, a fundraiser meal is being planned for April 24 at the Schulenburg Knights of Columbus Hall.
Then on Friday, Jan. 23, just after 3 a.m., Schulenburg firefighters got a call reporting a structure fire on Fosters Branch Dr. Upon arrival firefighters discovered a fire burning in an outdoor kitchen attached to a home. Guentert said the fire started at an outdoor stove. Quick action by the firefighters kept the flames contained to the outdoor kitchen area. The home was not harmed.