Storm Triggers Four Fire Calls
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Smoke rises from a Clay Street home as Water Valley firefighters work to contain a generator fire during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 29.
Herald News Photo by David Howell
WATER VALLEY – A generator fire on the back porch of a Clay Street home is believed to be one of several weather-related incidents that kept Water Valley firefighters busy during Winter Storm Fern, which triggered four fire calls over a week-long, according to Water Valley Fire Chief Mark McGavock.
The Clay Street fire, which occurred Thursday, Jan. 29, was the third of four fires handled by the department as freezing temperatures and widespread power outages led residents to rely on generators, heaters and other alternative heat sources. McGavock said the fire started on the back porch and spread into the wall and attic space of the home.
“It was a generator fire on the back porch,” McGavock said. “It spread through the side wall and into the attic.”
The fire occurred at a 125-year-old Clay Street home purchased by Barbara Brinckmann four years ago. Firefighter Will Carter and police officer Austin Tallent made an interior rescue, locating and removing Brinckmann from the smoke-filled house.
“They got the occupant out safely,” McGavock said.
Brinckmann’s 180-pound Great Dane, Bobby, was also rescued. Crews continued an interior attack to contain the fire. Firefighters later found Brinckmann’s phone inside the house, still connected to a dispatcher attempting to gather information.
“We brought the phone out to her,” McGavock said.
The Clay Street incident was part of a broader pattern that emerged as Winter Storm Fern knocked out power across the area and residents turned to generators, heaters and candles to stay warm.
The first fire occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 25, at Morris Ready Mix off Gore Circle, when a downed power line ignited a piece of equipment.
“We had trouble getting to it at first because of lines down in the road,” McGavock said. “We had to wait for power to be killed before we could put it out.”
The fire damaged a single piece of equipment and did not spread further.
The second fire occurred the following night at a residence on County Road 109, where a heater malfunction allowed fire to spread into space between the wall and ceiling of a mobile home that was inaccessible.
“We couldn’t get water to the seat of the fire,” McGavock said. “No matter what we did, we couldn’t reach it.”
The mobile home was a total loss. No injuries were reported.
The fourth fire occurred at a residence on County Road 224, where a warming candle ignited nearby materials. The resident attempted to fight the fire before firefighters arrived.
“There wasn’t a lot of fire by the time we got there,” McGavock said, “but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the house.”
McGavock said extended outages often lead residents to make risky decisions out of necessity, particularly during freezing weather.
During the storm, firefighters also responded to a carbon monoxide incident involving a charcoal grill brought inside a home with five children present. All occupants were treated and are doing well.
“People get desperate trying to stay warm,” McGavock said. “But generators, grills and open flames inside or too close to structures are extremely dangerous.”
Despite the challenges, McGavock praised his firefighters for their quick response throughout the storm.
“They did exactly what they’re trained to do,” he said. “We were busy, but we were fortunate nobody was hurt.”
