'Ranger Bill' to rebuild after fire
The fire, which started in the kitchen, was reported at 11:35 a.m. Friday at 209 Camp Nine Road, and personnel from four departments did their best to save what they could, but the home, an old barn that had been converted into a residence, was heavily involved by the time North Bench crews arrived on scene, and vehicles parked in the way further hampered responders.
Because of the time of the fire, most fire crew members were at work when the call sounded, which slowed response time somewhat as well. But rumors that spread quickly on Facebook in the wake of the fire that apparatus arriving first on scene came without water to fight the blaze were absolutely false, said North Bench Fire Chief Gus Jackson, who directed the firefighting effort.
"Our main engine, the first to arrive, carried five hundred gallons plus foam, which doubles the effectiveness of water alone," he said. The second unit to arrive, a North Bench water tender that wasn't too far behind, carried an additional 1,500 gallons of water.
Mutual aid requests went out soon after the fight was underway, and firefighters and equipment from Hall Mountain, South Boundary and Paradise Valley all responded.
In all, 15 firefighters, working in shifts, spent much of the day on scene, spraying over 34,000 gallons of water, taking 15 trips by water tenders, but even with full crews and more apparatus, the outcome would likely have been the same due to the age and dryness of much of the wood making up the home.
Crews were unable to use area water lines or hydrants because of distance and the fact that bringing them into play would have completely shut down traffic.
"We gave it all we had," Jackson said. "Unfortunately, saving the home wasn't in the cards."
Bill was alone at home when the fire broke out; his son, who is usually with him, was hospitalized for a serious medical condition days before the fire. Bill's faithful dog made it safely out of the home, but his four cats have yet to be found.
"I'm sure they're somewhere close by," Jackson said, "as cats are typically the first out. We're hoping they'll turn up."
Unfortunately, Bill had no insurance to cover the loss of his home, and he's temporarily staying with a neighbor and receiving help from the Red Cross. He met with Chief Jackson today, looking over the ruins and saying he'd hang on, somehow, until the weather turns and he can clear out the debris and start rebuilding.
"He's focusing on his son, and in hanging on until spring," Jackson said.
While the fire is out now, members of the North Bench Volunteer Fire District, their numbers seriously depleted by so many leaving the area for work, haven't stopped. On Monday, Gus and his crew members not at work will be making up and delivering donation cans to many Three Mile area businesses; a bank account is to be established to help Bill at Mountain West Bank, enabling those who'd like to help "Ranger Bill" to donate at any branch.
"He said the Red Cross is giving him vouchers for clothes and other immediate needs," Jackson said, "what he really needs is money to get him through the winter and help him begin rebuilding."
The exact cause of the fire is undetermined, but Jackson said there is no sign of any foul play.
He said he's meeting with Bill again tomorrow, in part to find out more how the department, and community, can help.
"We don't usually go to these lengths after a fire," he said, "but this is one of those situations you can't just walk away from. We're his neighbors, too."