House fire in Divide leaves none injured

A house fire outside of Divide left none injured, according to fire personnel. 

At approximately 2:59 p.m. on May 1, fire stations received a call to an address on County Road 1158 for a home on fire with lots of smoke, according to call logs. 

Stations 17 (Arbala), 20 (County), 11 (Cumby), 12 (Brinker) and 13 (Miller Grove) responded, as well as Shirley Special Water District. 

Crews found that although there was much smoke visible from nearby, fire was contained to one of the bedrooms of the home, according to fire personnel. 

"The smoke damage was pretty severe, but they contained the fire just to that area," said Arbala VFD Chief Brian Fairchild. "They contained it pretty quick and did a really great job."

Although the home's residents were there at the time, they were safely evacuated, Fairchild said. 

The cause of the blaze remains unknown and is the investigation is ongoing. 

Of special note for Arbala station, was that his crew today contained fifteen volunteers, of which five are certified firefighters, Fairchild stated. Five more certified firefighters on other county crews were on scene as well. 

“This is a perfect example of remembering to ‘Close before you doze,’ meaning the protection of a closed door in a fire can save your life or your children’s lives while you sleep,” said Miller Grove VFD captain Ray Sparks.