A DeKalb County home has been declared a total loss after a fire tore through the two-story wood frame residence on Poplar Road in the Wolf Creek area of Silver Point. In a social media post made public by the DeKalb County Fire Department, the incident occurred Friday at approximately 1:40 p.m.
Upon their arrival, firefighters were confronted with heavy smoke billowing from the second floor. Thankfully, they quickly ascertained that all occupants had managed to safely evacuate the premises beforehand. The fire crews faced several challenges, including poor road access that hampered the maneuvering of fire apparatuses, a substantial distance to the nearest fire hydrant, and an onslaught of extreme heat conditions which proved to be physically taxing. Despite their valiant efforts, the home could not be saved.
The DeKalb County Fire Department’s statement mentioned that one of their own was overtaken by heat exhaustion and required transportation to a local hospital by DeKalb County Emergency Medical Service. The firefighter received treatment and has since been released. While other members of the crew received on-site treatment for heat exhaustion, there were thankfully no further injuries reported. The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, but early suspicions point towards an electrical origin.
Multiple units from the DeKalb County Fire Department, including Temperance Hall, Liberty, Main, Cookeville Hwy., both tankers, and a rehabilitation unit, responded to the scene. Support also poured in from the Putnam County Fire Department, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb County Emergency Service. Simultaneously, Smithville Fire Department was to quickly be placed on mutual aid stand-by to provide coverage whilst the local resources were fully engaged in this incident.
