The tones summoned Saunders Fire Department for a possible structure fire at The Waterways on the Lake, on January 2, around 0800 hours.
Company 10 was first on scene and discovered heavy fire visible from a wooden building housing five condos.
The structure was occupied with the resident escaping safely.
The first call included Co 10 (Saunders), Co 7 Huddleston Rescue Squad and Co 13 Stewartsville. Company 13 was assigned as RIT.
No Hydrants were at the location.
The building had heavy fire showing with exposures on each side.
Apparatus staged and crews set up for an aggressive interior attack.
John Honaker, in Command, upgraded the call for special sources.
Responding to the upgrade were: Co. 8 Moneta, Co 1 Bedford City, Co 5 Forest and a ladder from Lynchburg.
The initial water came from the engine and then tankers from three departments: Co 7 Huddleston , Co 8 Moneta, Co 10 Saunders.
Honaker said the fire caused spot fires in the nearby woods so brush trucks from Co. 8, 7, and 10 handled those.
With the water supply challenge and amount of heavy fire, Fireboats were dispatched from Smith Mountain Lake Fire and Rescue. The Fireboats handled the water supply after arriving.
An additional engine company was dispatched and was assigned as the second RIT after the first RIT had to join in the fire fight.
Three 3-inch supply lines were used along with 2 1/2 inch and 1 3/4 inch handlines.
An interior attack was performed on the fifth townhouse and a defensive attck on the other condos.
The cause is under investigation.
