Rural fire crews come together to battle house fire

When the smoke alarm in the Austins’ Fagus home began sounding between 5-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Billy Austin had just arrived from work.

He was able to get his mother, Judy Austin, out of the house while the Qulin Volunteer Fire Protection District firefighters were on their way.

His wife Amy arrived home from work soon after. Her mother-in-law would have had a problem getting out if she would have been there by herself, Amy explained. Judy Austin was in a wreck several years ago and had to have three vertebrae fused with a rod July 6.

The house fire drew firefighters from the Qulin Volunteer Fire Protection District, as well as mutual aid crews from the Clay County, Arkansas, communities of Pollard, McDougal and Piggott fire departments, to battle the blaze in the above 90-degree temperatures.

“It was hot for sure,” Qulin Fire Chief Chris Wright said.

When Qulin firefighters called for assistance, Pollard responded followed by the other Arkansas groups.

Fagus is an unincorporated community in southeastern Butler County located on Route 51, approximately 18 miles southeast of Poplar Bluff and one mile north of the Arkansas state line.

“Pollard was a real asset,” Wright said. “We probably got everything put up about midnight.”

There were about five or six active members of the volunteer fire department on scene.

“II was at another job. It took me a while to get there. We’re short-staffed like everybody else,” Wright said.

Qulin had four trucks, Pollard four and Piggott three for a total of 11 trucks at the scene.

Qulin’s equipment includes a fire engine, rescue truck and two tankers, which is how they shuffled water to the fire.

“We’ve got to haul water back and forth from a hydrant,” Wright said. “Fortunately, we had one within about an eighth of a mile. It wasn’t very far. It was just a slower hydrant, but we kept most of the trucks with water that way. Hydrants also are located in the Oglesville community and Qulin.”

The other fire departments brought engines and pumpers.

“We had 60 firefighters on the scene to help us and 50 people from the community,” Wright said. “The community people gave us coolers of water, and fuel and were helpful.”

At times, the volunteers may need to go 5-6 miles to get fuel or water to fight a fire.

“All of our guys’ bodies were running out of steam. It was so hot. Nobody got hurt, but we had three that got pretty close from the heat,” Wright said.

While the temperature was 90-94 degrees when they started fighting the fire, Wright said, as the day went on it may have cooled down, but it didn’t seem cooler.

“The only relief was the fire hose and wet rags,” Wright said. “Everything’s going so fast. I think our tankers hold about 2,500 gallons. I would say we did like eight runs with those and then what was brought in the engines. They’re usually 500 to 1,000 gallons on each one of them.”

The home was destroyed and was still smoldering in places Friday, Amy said.

“I want those poor guys to know we appreciate the fire departments,” she said. “I know those men, they had to be completely exhausted because it was so hot. I’m glad we’re all physically okay.”

There’s already been an outpouring of support, Amy said.

“I can’t thank everybody enough. Especially my work family and my husband’s work family,” she said.

Amy is a care coordinator supervisor at FCC Behavioral Health and Billy works at Blakemore Cotton & Grain in Campbell.

The Austins’ three children were at work at FCC at the time of the fire. Judy Austin works for Desgranges Tax Service during tax season.

They had lived in the Fagus rental for five years and were in the process of buying a home in Poplar Bluff.

While household and personal possessions burned, Amy said, lost in the fire was Judy’s dentures and specialized equipment the family purchased since her back surgery.

Fighting back tears, Amy said, the family lost their 6-month-old mixed-breed dog Nala.

“We had two cats. Salem and a family member’s emotional support cat January. I’m still hoping we can find them,” she said.

Amy said, “It’s been a year for the family. My husband in November was really sick. He was septic. We were in the hospital for six weeks. Then, my mother-in-law’s surgery. There’s been good too, though. I mean, I just got a promotion at work. My kids are okay and the oldest girl is a senior in college.”

The family is staying at a Poplar Bluff motel and the Red Cross is helping.

Anyone who wants to reach out to the Austins, may contact Amy on Messenger via Facebook.

The Qulin fire chief also has a request.

“We want more volunteers,” Wright said. “Anyone who wants to volunteer may go by the Qulin City Hall.

“Training would be nice, but we will train them. The biggest thing is if they are just willing to help the community. We’ll take anybody old, young, female, male, ... We need support; as long as you are willing to help with anything, fundraisers or just anything.”