A fire started by a candle led to an ominous discovery of a separate electrical problem that likely saved the home of Barbara Seals, located at 266 Hwy. 28 West, from extensive damage.
Volunteer fire units from Calhoun, Soso and Hebron responded to the report of a structure fire at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters discovered a burning scented candle holder that had broken and burned into a wood cutting board setting it ablaze with the fire beginning to extend into the wood cabinets above.
The small fire was quickly extinguished, but as volunteer firefighters used a thermal imaging camera checking for fire extension, they discovered electrical wires in the attic which had begun to melt. These wires were in a totally separate location from the candle fire.
“It is really fortunate that the candle fire occurred as it caused us to look over the house with a thermal imaging camera, and that’s when firefighters discovered the wiring problem,” said Soso VFD Fire Chief Glenn Musgrove. “A major fire could have easily occurred as a result of the wiring melting, shorting out and burning in the attic.”
The thermal imaging camera from Calhoun VFD Engine 1 was purchased with funds from an Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant. Several Jones County VFDs have received thermal imaging cameras from AFG grants that they otherwise could not have afforded.
“The AFG program has been a godsend to our volunteer fire departments here in Jones County and have provided personal protective gear, equipment and apparatus that our departments could never have afforded to buy,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “Thermal imaging cameras were used in a major structure fire in Soso last night and today’s fire demonstrates how effective they can be in preventing and mitigating damage from fire.”
Added McKenna, “We cannot say thanks enough to FEMA, which has made these AFG grants available to our departments over the past several years. Without a doubt, these grants are used to purchase equipment and fire apparatus that make firefighters lives safer and enhance our abilities to provide fire and rescue services, which in turn saves lives.”
Today’s fire marked the third structure fire in District 1 — which is served by Calhoun, Hebron, Soso and Pleasant Ridge VFDs — in less than sixteen hours.
Local News
Related Photos
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Photo/Submitted (Lance Chancellor)
Candle fire in kitchen leads to ominous discovery
Thermal imaging camera find separate problem
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