Fires continue in Jones Co.

Two more blazes reported; total 13 since Nov. 24

By David Owens, newseditor@laurelleadercall.com

A house fire at 316 Triplett Street in Sandersville Friday morning marked Jones County’s 12th since Nov. 24 for volunteer firefighters. The 13th fire happened hours later at 306 1/2 Howell Street in Ellisville.

Lance Chancellor, public information officer for the Jones County Fire Council, said the number of fires, which have ranged from electrical to currently unknown causes, is “amazing.”

The Sandersville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Friday morning’s fire at 8:48 a.m. The homeowner, who was emotionally distraught, noted that she had left the premises shortly before 8 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Jim Schraeder of the Sandersville VFD was the first to arrive, and said he spotted flames in the living room going into the attic.

“There were a few hot spots in the attic with the insulation,” Schraeder said. “We contained the fire to the kitchen and living room.”

Firefighters on scene acknowledged that the house was “gutted” with approximately $50,000 to 60,000 worth of damage. While the brick house’s structure remained in tact, a considerable amount of damage was incurred in the kitchen and living room areas.

Shane Lilly, fire chief at Rustin VFD, served as incident commander with Sandersville, Shady Grove, Powers and Rustin responding.

Chancellor, who is also a Powers volunteer fireman, said the attack teams from all units were used to combat the fire.

“The volunteer from Shady Grove was just in the area,” he said. “It’s good because we need all of the help we can get during the day.”

Lilly said that when he arrived on scene, he set up ventilation at the house’s side and back doors and a window.

“What that does is push air into the house and forces the heat and smoke out,” he said. “Then, you can see the fire and where’s it going.”

Chancellor said crews also used a thermal imaging camera, which is becoming standard issue with structure fires.

“It’s technology that comes through the military, and helps us find hot spots,” he said. “It’s invaluable in finding and locating the sources of fire. It is also used by search and rescue operations to find a victim through the smoke and heat. It will take you right to them.”

The Ellisville fire happened at a trailer occupied by an elderly woman who lived alone, said her neighbor Sonny Patterson. Patterson, who works for the Jones County Community College police, said he was able to rescue the woman from the burning trailer shortly after 4 p.m.

Volunteer departments from Ellisville, South Jones Pleasant Ridge, Ovett, Moselle, Union and Johnson all responded to the scene with Ellisville serving as primary. EMServ and the Ellisville Police Department also assisted on the fire that was still being investigated as of press time.

According to Patterson, the woman said the fire began in her bedroom and she noted that the “electrical wire was hot.”

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