PEGRAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

March 20, 2008 - 1010Hrs

At 1010hrs, PFD was paged to respond to a residential structure fire at 567 Thompson Road, heavy smoke and flames showing.  Kingston Springs FD was also paged out for automatic aid.  Chief 551 also requested Ashland City and Two Rivers FD's for manpower and water.  Engine 502 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke and flames already venting from the C/D side roof.  All occupants were out of the structure.  Crews started a brief interior attack using a 2 1/2" blitz line.  They were quickly redirected to a defensive attack due to the fire moving quickly through the attic space and the lack of manpower and water on scene.  T511 arrived and replenished E502's water supply due to no good operating hydrants available.  S333, E102, E601, and T611 all arrived on scene.  T611 ran the tanker shuttle route to a well flowing hydrant about 1/2 mile away from the scene.  Crews used ground ladders and hand lines to try and get above the fire to try and bring it under control.  Fire was finally under control and extensive overhaul operations started.  Fire was contained to the structure and all exposures were protected.  Crews ended up being on scene for almost 5 straight hours.  Crews were extremely exhausted after all operations were completed.  During the firefighting operations, it was discovered that a rescue had occurred before FD personnel arrived on the scene.  It appears that when the fire broke out, a juvenile male was inside the structure sleeping.  The juvenile's grandmother lived next door.  After the grandmother had been made aware of the fire from a passerby, she started screaming for anyone that could hear her to help get her grandson out of the structure.  A gentleman from across the street heard all the commotion and went outside to what was going on.  After seeing that the structure was on fire, he ran over to be of assistance to the grandmother.  She advised the gentleman of her grandson being inside.  Without any fear or due regard for his own safety, the man knocked down the front door and rescued the juvenile male from the burning structure with no injuries to either of them.  Mike, our hats are off to you for your bravery and courage that you displayed in saving this young man's life!