Dog Extrication on Rixeyville Road

On December31, 2022, at 2017, Little Fork volunteers responded to an overturned truck in the 8600 block of Rixeyville Road. The driverself-extricated as crews arrived, was checked by EMS and refused service. But, a passengerin the truck’s cab required extrication. ‘Jethro’the driver’s dog remained in the cab uninjured, but needing help getting out of the cab. Using two ladders, firefighters handed the dog off to each otherand eventually got him to the ground.

- Photos courtesy of Little Fork FR

2-Alarm Commercial Fire in New Jerusalem

Suffolk Fire and Rescue units responded on January 1, 2023, to a commercial structure fire at the New Jerusalem Church Ministry in the 400 block of East PinnerStreet. Battalion 1 found heavy smoke and fire showing from the rearof the second floorof the two-story church. The second floorof the church was occupied at the time, but all occupants were out when firefighters arrived. Crews isolated the fire to the second floorand the fire was placed undercontrol at 0508. - Photos courtesy of Suffolk FR

1 Person Perishes in House Fire

Electrical Fire Stopped

Truck 12 responded to a structure fire on December 27, 2022. Acable repairperson created an electrical arc while installing cable which led to a small fire on the exteriorof a two-story residence. The fire was extinguished through the collaborative efforts of personnel from Edinburg Fire Company, Toms Brook Fire Department, and Shenandoah County Department of Fire & Rescue.

- Submitted by Zachary Hottel

On December27, 2022, Company 3 (Chase City), Company 1 (Boydton), and Company 4 (Clarksville) were toned out fora residential structure fire. Once en route, E34 noted a large co lumn of black smoke from several miles out. Fourth-due (Buckhorn) and fifth-due (Bacon District) companies were requested foradditional manpowerand tankers. EMS 1 arrived to heavy fire showing from the Alpha side with reports of one victim trapped. E34 arrived shortly and pulled a 2-1/2 inch handline forfire attack and VES’d via a rearwindow where the victim was initially reported to be. Heavy fire conditions hindered a search in the rest of the residence. Unfortunately, one victim perished in the fire.

- Submitted by Josh Whitten

Firefighters/Deputies Rescue Couple from Fire

On January 22, 2023, at 2323, the Stanley Fire Department was called fora structure fire on Lucas Hollow Road, three miles South of Stanley. While en route, the Page Emergency Communication Centeradvised that two occupants were possibly trapped. Fire Chief Terry A. Pettit reported a caradjacent to the house was on fire. Three Page County Sheriff Department Deputies, Zach Tiller, Frank Stillson and Marcus Debellaistre, attempted to gain entry, but were hampered by boarded up or nailed shut windows and doors. The occupants shouted theirlocation and Deputy Stillson was able to break open the plywood. Both occupants and a dog were assisted out the window and helped to the ground. Firefighters were able to quicky knock down the fireand while doing a secondary search found a second dog in a back room which was taken to safety. - Submitted by Terry Pettit