Crews save most of Willow home

WILLOW — Fire officials say they are very pleased with what officials call a “great save” by crews at a fire Wednesday near the Willow Town Site store.

Crews were called out to the fire at 9 a.m. and the first person on scene arrived within 14 minutes, Acting Willow Fire Chief Bill Gamble said.

In short order, 17 responders were on scene, with help from firefighters and fire trucks from the city of Houston and the West Lakes Fire Department.

“The result was approximately 65 percent to 70 percent of the structure was saved, including almost all of the owners’ personal belongings and their car that was in a garage right next to the part of the building that was on fire,” Gamble says in an email.

The owners of the home were checked out and released on scene. The fire, Gamble writes, appeared to have started on the south side of the building where it was eventually contained. One of several “heating units” in use at the time appears to be the culprit.

One Willow firefighter was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation. Gamble said he was checked out and released.

Mat-Su Borough Deputy Director of Emergency Services Clint Vardeman said that the firefighter was taking a break when he realized he was having trouble breathing. Smoke inhalation is tricky stuff, he said.

“Even though you think you’re outside of the hot zone and you’re just going to take a break, if you’re not careful you can get it,” Vardeman said.

Gamble said the response shows that the department is working to overcome a rough patch that resulted in the loss of its chief, Lance Barve.

“After several months of negative publicity, finger-pointing and the loss of the fire chief, the Willow Fire Department is making great strides and working hard to rebuild its battered membership and tarnished image,” Gamble writes.