Crawfords Climb House Fire
August 17th, 2011 - For the third time in about a year, the Wintergreen 
Fire Department battled a multi-alarm structure fire on Wintergreen property. This fire was different in a couple of ways. First, the large home was located in a section of the development which is very steep and has no pressurized fire hydrants. Second, and most importantly, this fire was dispatched at a time when the entire Wintergreen Fire staff were completing a training meeting! This has never happened before. Approximately 20 firefighters piled into 7 pieces of apparatus to immediately respond to the blaze.
Upon arrival, heavy fire and smoke were present in the home, and a vehicle was fully involved in the driveway, one was partially involved on the interior, and a third was also threatened on the interior. The residents and pet were exiting the structure. Three engines, a tanker, 900' of supply line, and a portable tank were used to establish a constant water flow. The first engine company went to the house for the initial attack and the second engine company attached to the water vault (installed by homeowner) for water supply. A total of 12,000 gallons of water was used to fight the fire during a 90 minute battle.
Units on scene from Wintergreen were Engine Company 1, Engine Company 3, Tanker 7, Medic 175, Medic 179, Response 180, Response 9,Chief 1, and Chief 3.
In addition to our 20 firefighters, Rockfish Fire provided 2 and a much needed third pumper to help boost pressure to overcome the elevation challenge we were dealing with. Piney River Fire provided 3 firefighters, and Faber fire provided one firefighter. Two volunteer firefighers from Wintergreen were assiting as well. The Nelson County EMS crews (4 medics) were on-scene to help with logistics and assist with the homeowners and firefighters needing assistance. Dooms Fire Department in Augusta County responded from North of Waynesboro as the fourth-due fill-in department for our mountain station. Four volunteers from Wintergreen Rescue assisted with on-scene rehab. A huge thank you goes to Wintergreen Road and Landscape crews who came to the scene with trucks to help break down all equipment and haul hoses and equipment back to the station.
Three firefighters were treated at the scene for dehydration, over-exertion, and hypoglycemia, however all were eventually released to resume suppression operations.
The owner's of the affected home are extremely grateful to all who assisted.
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Interesting stats from the past year's fires:
July 2010:
House fire on Blue Chickory Drive in the Valley Community.
Home was fully involved upon our arrival and the home was occupied at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire was an electrical failure.
The home was a total loss.
There were no significant injuries.
April 2011:
House fire on Timber Camp Drive in the Mountain Community.
Heavy involvement upon arrival. Fire was through the roof and involved 3 floors. The home was vacant.
The cause of the fire was a lightning strike.
The home was 40% destroyed.
There were no significant injuries.
August 2011:
House fire on Crawfords Climb in the Valley Community.
Heavy involvement upon arrival. Fire was through the roof and involved two vehicles. The house was occupied at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire was a car fire which spread from the driveway to the home.
The home was 20% destroyed.
Three firefighters required medical assistance on scene, however none were transported.
