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Firefighters grateful for community support

Posted at 5:55 PM, Oct 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-05 19:55:39-04

Firefighters that fought the large house fire on Highway 282 in Jefferson County on Thursday say they are grateful for all the community support they received.

Firefighters spent more than seven hours battling the fire in cold rain, and Jefferson City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bud Siderits said community members came out with soup, sandwiches and drinks to thank them for their work.

“You can’t say enough of how they came to try and help the homeowner and support us,” said Siderits.

One of the challenges firefighters faced with the fire was the amount of smoke produced when some of the original timber of the home, that dated back to the 1860’s, caught fire and essentially created a large bonfire.

“Once that got burning we tried our best and hit it with everything we had,” said Siderits.

Siderits said unfortunately they had to demolish the building, with owner approval, over the night and thankfully no one got injured.

Fire officials say the homeowner was asleep when the fire began, and credits working smoke detectors for preventing the loss of life.

“It’s so important to check on your smoke detectors,” said Siderits, “Every bedroom should have one and then the hallway to the bedroom should have one.”

Siderits also recommends having a yearly date that hold significance such as a birthday or anniversary for when a person changes the batteries in their detectors.

In addition to the American Red Cross assisting the family, a GoFundMe page has been created to help the family; it states:

Becki and Travis  have been working hard to fight through medical challenges this year and lost their historic family home Thursday October 4th in a devastating house fire. The building was declared a total loss and the family will be starting over completely. They have two girls in high school and a precious  special needs son.  They need clothing, household goods, school supplies and finances toward a new beginning. Please support them in any way you can. Everything helps and is greatly appreciated.

Click here if you would like to help.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

  • Reported by John Riley