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Blaze Claims Two-Story Cooper Home

Last Wednesday volunteer fire departments of Cooper, Klondike, as well as Hopkins County Fire Department fought a multi-alarm house fire on East Waco Street in Cooper.

By the time the emergency call came through the Delta County Sheriff’s Office at 10:40 a.m. the wooden framed structure was already fully engulfed in flames. The heat was so intense vinyl siding on the neighboring home across the street was melting even on the cool 60 degree fall day.

“It was extremely hot. I can say it was probably the hottest I have ever been to [in his six years volunteering],” said Cooper VFD Assistant Fire Chief Tanner Crutcher. He could only estimate by the appearance upon arrival the fire might have started in the attic or second floor. He also noted that Delta County has recently renewed the mutual aid response agreement with Hopkins County, and it shows the benefits of partnering with them. “We help them. They help us.”

The home had just been the recipient of the Cooper Clean-Up Crew’s “Yard of the Month” award. None of the home’s occupants were inside at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday evening the call went out again to all departments as a caller stated more flames were sighted where the house stood on Waco. They were called back again on Thursday night at 8 p.m. to the same address on Waco, investigating in the darkness for more hot spots.

“We have the equipment. We just need more manpower,” said Constable Marshall Lynch, while at the scene. Lynch is also a volunteer fire fighter. According to NPR, “seven out of 10 American firefighters are actually volunteers. They cover vast sections of the country, making up an aging network that is increasingly understaffed and overworked.”

For more on the local fire stations find them on Facebook. To become a volunteer fire fighter contact the City of Cooper at 903-395-2217.

https://www.facebook.com/CooperFire/

https://www.facebook.com/klondikevfd/

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