Kell firefighters got a quick knockdown on an outbuilding fire in rural Walnut Hill Tuesday night.
Assistant Chief Jason Franke says the 20 by 25 foot outbuilding had heavy smoke but no flames showing upon their arrival. The structure was only 30 feet from the Harry Braddock residence at 301 Jasper Road.
Firefighters entered through a walk-in door and found heavy heat conditions in what appeared to be a smoldering fire lacking air to really get going. After quickly knocking down the fire, a vent fan was used to clear the building of smoke and heat. The structure is salvageable with mainly damage to the inside and only one outside wall.
Firefighters were on scene for roughly 2.5 hours for a rather long overhaul. The extreme cold and icy conditions hampered initial response time and made it extremely hard to gain access to the residence with the slick conditions.Salem firemen were called for mutual aid assistance but were staged once the fire was knocked down quickly. Salem later responded to the Kell Fire station to coverage district in the event of another fire.
