Icy Mountain Road Hinders Firefighters at Stewartsville, VA, Structure Fire
Despite challenging conditions amid a winter storm, firefighters were able to save a Stewartsville home atop a mountain as flames engulfed a nearby structure.
The Stewartsville-Chamblissburg Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a building fire on Woodcroft Drive around 9 a.m. Thursday.
Lt. Andrew St. Clair told Firehouse.com that firefighters were able to travel about three-quarters of the way up the mountain before ice buildup stopped them.
"Most of the way was softer snow" St. Clair said. "Unfortunately, under this section was a solid sheet of ice."
The led to Engine 13 sliding off the road and landing in a ditch.
"All the firefighters were seat-belted, and no one was injured. The truck slowly slid backward and ultimately ended up in a ditch line."
Firefighters pushed on, grabbing equipment and hiking a quarter mile to the fire scene. St. Clair described the scenario as “crews were faced with a long driveway that could only be explained as an ice skating rink.”
"With five water cans, they were able to protect the structures surrounding the origin," St. Clair said.
A neighbor used a four-wheeler to bring equipment, including hose and tools and to the scene. Others used their off-road vehicles to bring firefighters to the scene.
"These crews were faced with a long driveway that could only be explained as an ice-skating rink. They adapted and overcame with firefighting tactics that ultimately saved a residence.”
Once the Virginia Department of Transport salted the road, firefighters were able to lay out 400 feet of hose through the woods to douse the fire.
Brush trucks were called to bring water up the mountain to bring the fire under control.
"The support we have in Bedford County is like none other. Our neighboring departments are always right behind us, and we work seamlessly together," St. Clair said.
Assistance was received from Bedford Fire Department, Bedford County Department of Fire Rescue and Montvale Volunteer Fire Company.
Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.
