Firefighters battle multiple fires across Mid-Missouri in frigid conditions
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A series of devastating fires swept through Boone County this week, leaving behind widespread destruction and challenging fire crews as they battled not only the flames, but also brutal winter weather.
This week alone, Boone County firefighters responded to several house fires, many resulting in severe destruction. One of the most severe fires occurred on Route EE, where firefighters spent hours working to contain the blaze.
"So the one on EE was several hours. It was a complete loss," Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said. "It was a fire that started in the basement and moved to the first floor of the residence."
Crews faced additional challenges due to extreme winter weather conditions, with temperatures plummeting below zero.
"We battled those cold temperatures when we're fighting those fires, and the other morning it was -8 degrees is what we showed on our vehicle thermometers and so it was difficult at best. Things were freezing up. We had trucks that froze," Blomenkamp said.
The impact extended beyond Boone County. In neighboring Cole County, firefighters also worked for hours in brutal conditions.
Multiple agencies worked together to contain the flames at a home on Old Highway 54, an effort that took eight hours in the extreme conditions.
"Their fire fighting gear becoming coated with layers of ice which made a situation even worse with the cold and ice." Steve Cearlock with the Cole County Fire Protection District said via text message to ABC 17 News Saturday.
Cearlock praised crews for working in the grueling conditions.
"You really have to give the firefighters a lot of credit dealing with the fire and the elements for eight hours. A lot of people don't think about the side effects of extinguishing a fire in those conditions," Cearlock said.
Fire officials are reminding residents that evacuating quickly should always be the top priority.
Blomenkamp emphasizes that when a fire breaks out, saving lives, not belongings, should be the top priority.
"Do not go back in there for anything. Don't go back in there for pets. Don't go back in there for belongings. Call 911 and let us come in there and deal with it. We will save what we can save and we will risk what we need to risk," Blomenkamp said.
Officials urge residents to take precautions, check smoke alarms, and have an emergency plan in place.
