The Shiloh Village Fire Department, together with the Greenwich Fire Department, Franklin Fire Weller Twp, and Savannah Fire Department, were toned out last night to respond to a structure fire at Lawson Equipment on 640 Baseline Road. This particular incident posed significant challenges for our firefighters.
They were not only tasked with suppressing the fierce flames and ensuring the safety of nearby structures but also had to endure freezing temperatures and strong winds. The mercury dropped to a bone-chilling 4 degrees, with a wind chill of -7.7 and a real feel of -11. The icy conditions presented an additional obstacle, as several dry hydrants in the vicinity were rendered inoperable. The water levels in the ponds that served as water sources for these hydrants were alarmingly low, with the inlet pipes visible above the water line. To overcome this challenge, tankers were utilized to transport water until our firefighters successfully broke through the ice in one of the nearby ponds. They installed a line to draw water from beneath its frozen surface.
Moreover, the gusty winds exacerbated the fire, making the already demanding battle even more difficult for our fire responders. Throughout the night, they persevered, unyieldingly fighting against both fire and ice, our heroes worked tirelessly to gain control of the situation. To help fight the ice build-up on the road, the road salt crews were contacted to apply extra salt to prevent the accumulation of ice.
Despite the numerous obstacles our dedicated fire personnel faced, their unwavering commitment to ensuring the community’s safety prevailed. They exhibited exceptional professionalism and a steadfast dedication to their duty.
