Snow-covered roads cause challenges for firefighters

By SHARON KIESEL

This past Sunday, January 10, the Adrian Fire Department received a tone out at 1:38 a.m. regarding a flue fire at a residence off Route AA on County Road 5001. The report including that the fire was already in the attic of the residence.

Chief Dizney said he arrived on the scene first because he was in a four wheel drive vehicle. Snow drifts and ice covered the roadway. Following him was an Adrian pumper truck that ended up getting stuck due to the very poor road conditions. Other responding units were diverted to different routes into the fire scene area. By the time the first units arrived, the attic area of the residence was already heavy with fire.

The Butler Fire Department arrived on automatic mutual aid. Tanker trucks were quickly called in from the Drexel, Amsterdam and Central Cass Fire Departments. Amsterdam also sent an engine and crew to man the Adrian Station as well.

Chief Dizney said the road conditions were hazardous for all responding units, which slowed responses, and the 10 to 12 degree below zero temperatures affected the equipment. Extra water was needed, but Central Cass Fire and other departments from Harrisonville and departments south and east of Harrisonville were already fighting a structure fire in Garden City. A tanker unit was pulled out of West Peculiar Fire Department to bring water to Adrian.

All area fire crews responded with equipment, water and as much man power as they could to help fight the fire, Chief Dizney said, adding that local resident Tom Ferguson also helped the fire crews. “We really appreciate the way Tom provided quick help with his tractor and blade,” Dizney said. “Not only did he pull the truck out of the snowy ditch, he also bladed the road to help other departments and equipment get to the scene.”

Chief Dizney added that in spite of the bad roads, the weather and the extreme cold, all the firefighters made the best effort possible to try to save the home. But it still was not enough. The home and the contents were a total loss. James and Margaret Tye, their son and daughter-in-law and two small babies got out of the residence safely, but they lost everything.

“The Fire Department contacted the Red Cross and they responded very quickly and professionally,” Chief Dizney said. He said the Adrian Volunteer Fire Department works closely with the American Red Cross, another volunteer organization as needed in various situations. He appreciates the quick response from Mike and Shirley Jackson, from the Clinton chapter of the Red Cross. The couple met with Chief Dizney and the Tyes on Sunday to see how to best help the family.

If anyone in the Adrian community would like to help the Tye family, call 816-619-2334 or 816-619-2047 to find out clothing sizes, immediate needs and other information.

Right: Adrian firefighters, along with departments from surrounding towns, responded to a house fire on County Road 5001 off of Route AA.
photo by Sheryl Diemer, Drexel Fire Department

Far right: Butler firefighter Jason Bennett braves the extreme cold to help put out a fire at the Tye Family home.
photo by Ronnie Dennison, Adrian Fire Department