On March 3, Fire Chief Chad French pleaded with the Eufaula City Council to replace an ancient fire truck that routinely broke down.
The Council agreed to buy a 2008 E-1 Tanker/Pumper for $111,000.
It was money well spent.
On March 8, French picked up the vehicle from Diamond Rescue Supplies in Seminole, Texas.
Saturday evening at 8:53 p.m, March 30, the tanker/pumper was called into service for the first time to help fight a vacant house fire at the corner of Grand and 5th in west Eufaula.
The vacant house was destroyed but a house adjacent to the south side of the property was in danger.
French said the house had been recently pur-chased, but was not insured.
“It doesn’t take long for the heat coming off of a burning house to ignite one close to it. The Eufaula Firefighters responded quickly to get water over to the house next door that is occupied to cool it down and keep it protected,” French said.
He credited the tanker/ pumper for its part in saving the home.
“Our new pumper performed great, with no issues, and put out plenty of water pressure,” French said. “The timing of the purchase of the new pumper was just right. After a structure fire on Sherwood Road on the 22nd of this month (March), our only operational pumper was put out of service due to a bad hose coming from the tank to the pump.
“So, we had to go ahead and put our new pumper in service sooner than we anticipated, but thankfully the purchase of the new pumper was not delayed until another time, because if it had been, we would have been fighting this fire with our two brush trucks until mutual aid could arrive. So, we are very pleased and thankful with being able to have purchased it and pleased with its performance.”
The fire was of an unknown origin.
No injuries were reported.
While the fire was being fought, an OG&E crew worked on a downed power line at the scene.
City police directed traffic through the narrow streets of the neighborhood, which became congested with curios drivers Fire Chief Chad French posted a message during the fire asking people to avoid the area.
“… fire and police equipment are on the scene and it’s getting congested with drivers passing by. We also have an active power line down, so it’s a hazard to be in this area,” French posted.
French credited firefighters and the new truck with their fast action in saving the adjacent house.
“It doesn’t take long for the heat coming off of a burning house to ignite one close to it. The Eufaula Firefighters responded quickly to get water over to the house next door that is occupied to cool it down and keep it protected,” French said.
