Fire damages rural home Monday

Several personal possessions and a family dog was lost during a house fire on County Road W this week.
Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said his department was paged to the fire Monday, January 27, at 10:41 a.m. and were on the scene by 10:55. The home which is owned by Jim Mitchell was being rented by Joel Layton.
Powell said a female and child were inside the residence when the home caught fire and were unable to suppress the fire and were forced to evacuate and call 911.
When firemen arrived, the stucco home was showing heavy smoke with one window showing fire. The initial attack was made through that window while an entry team entered through a door on the northeast corner of the home.
Aided by a thermal camera, the team quickly knocked down the fire and made a quick search of the home before exiting to allow for ventilation teams to clear the home of smoke.
Powell said firemen were able to retrieve some valuables for the family. No people were injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation at press time.
Thirteen firemen and seven unites were used on the fire.  The fire was under control within 10 minutes of firemen arriving on scene.
On a side note, this was the first structure fire in which the Clarendon VFD was able to utilize a new tool that they just received this month. The department purchased an Argus Thermal Imaging Camera which allows firemen to see in low visibility conditions. The camera can be used to locate victims in a home filled with smoke, locate the seat of fire in a smoke filled environment, or locate persons in the dark. The camera needs no light to see. The camera aided Clarendon firemen’s efforts to quickly control the fire on Monday.
Powell said the camera will be a huge asset to the department and will aid greatly in ability to save life and property.  The camera, which cost nearly $8,500, was purchased with funds donated to the department.