The houses were far apart on this side of the mountain, which could be in their favor to contain the fire to one structure, but the weather was tricky tonight. Winds had been kicking up for the past two weeks, and a pattern of dry air had made them post an alert to the county about fire hazard. With so much dense forestin the area, if the wind didn’t cooperate, things could get out of hand fast.
“Aw, man.” He pulled off the road at the address, immediately recognizing the house Diane and Jack Jacob had been working on for nearly three years to fix the old place up. It had been in Jack’s family. His grandfather’s place. Empty and neglected for a generation, it was a huge undertaking.
Another truck was parked on the street. He hoped it was one of his volunteers.
Tucker jumped out of his truck and pulled on his gear, talking into his radio the whole time.
“Two-story fire fully developed on arrival. We’re going to need the following equipment: extra tankers, stagger arrival. Rescue immediately, foresters and ground crew for possible spread to natural areas.”
Flames from the back of the house licked the night sky. The Christmas tree still stood in the front window, every colored light twinkling in celebration of the holiday.
One of the volunteers came running from around the back of the house. “Chief! Jack Jacob is in the backyard trying to fight it with a garden hose. He said it started back there.”
“Cut the power, and get Jack out of there,” Tucker said. “Trucks are two minutes out. Clear the vehicles. Get ready for their arrival.”
“Yes, sir!”
Diane came running from the far side of the yard, young children in tow. “Tucker! It’s spreading so fast. What do I do?”
“Is everyone out of the house?”
She nodded. “Yes. The kids. Momma. Check on Jack!”
“Doggy!” the little girl at her side screamed.
“Family pet inside?” Tucker asked.
“I don’t know.” Tears streamed down her face, clearing soot in a path down her cheek. “Maybe? I thought I saw him out here.”
“Stay back.” Tucker had no sooner gotten the words out of his mouth than the fire truck swooped to a stop in front of the house. “Keep the children over by the picnic shelter. Don’t worry. I’ll get Jack. We’re here now.”
Diane swept her family up like little ducklings and rushed them out of the way.
Tucker radioed further instructions to his team, including having someone pick up the family and take them somewhere warm and out of view of their home ablaze.
Doris would handle that. She was a lifesaver that way.
Tucker radioed the latest update: “Everyone is accounted for, except possibly the family dog. Not sure if it was inside or out. Keep an eye out.”
Jack was putting up a fight, determined to save his home.
The oldest rig in Tucker’s fleet, the one withTHE BULL MOUNTAIN BOYSacross the windshield, rolled up.
“Pull the two-and-a-half-inch hose, Bull Mountain Boys.” It was the biggest hose they had on that truck, and they needed to squelch this fire before the wind kicked up again.
The team dropped from the truck and spread out to evaluate and begin taking control of the situation.
An update came over the radio that they were bringing Jack around for medical attention.
Tucker watched two suited-up firefighters supporting Jack between them. He was coughing and desperately trying to catch abreath, but in desperation, Jack pulled away, attempting to turn back to save his home.
EMTs raced to his side and checked his airway following exposure to the thick, dense smoke. Shortly thereafter, he was given oxygen while the rest of the team prepped him to be loaded in the ambulance.
Soot covered Jack from head to toe. He had to have taken in a lot of smoke. Running on adrenaline, he didn’t know how much danger he was in. These were dangers Tucker’s team was trained in.
It only took a moment for the EMTs to confirm his suspicions. “Possible thermal damage. Burns on his hands and neck. We’re taking him to Roanoke.”
Tucker jogged back around to the front to direct the other units that had come to help. That was one thing about being in a small county. All the neighboring counties were ready to back you up.
