Watson Firefighters Handle Fire That Damages Buildings at Rural Residence

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Published on March 31 2017 4:12 pm
Last Updated on March 31 2017 4:17 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Watson firefighters spent a portion of Friday morning battling a structure fire north of Watson.

Firefighters were dispatched at 12:01am to the 8600 block of 1200th Street. The residents, Daona Poe and Andrew Funneman, phoned to report their detached garage was on fire and it was possibly spreading to nearby trees.

The first arriving engine company reported the garage was fully involved in fire with the roof already collapsed into the structure. The fire had spread to a smaller storage shed and mobile carport on either side of the garage, and had melted the siding on one side of the residence. Firefighters attacked the fire on the front side of the garage and were able to knock down the fire there, which stopped the threat of fire spreading into the residence. Watson crews conducted overhaul operations on the garage and surrounding storage sheds and area to eliminate further hot spots.

Shumway Fire Protection District was asked to assist and responded with an engine company and a chief. Once they arrived, a crew was sent into the residence with a thermal imaging camera and determined no fire had spread into the residence, although there was considerable damage to the exterior siding from radiant heat.

The detached garage and contents were deemed a total loss due to the fire. The adjoining storage shed was damaged by the fire, as was the carport. Several items stored under the carport and alongside the garage were also destroyed by the fire. The estimated dollar value of the loss is still being determined.

The fire was determined to have started near the northwest corner of the garage. Funneman reported having a small, accidental fire inside the garage earlier in the evening while working with a welder. That fire had ignited items of clothing that the homeowner reportedly extinguished and left lying in the garage.

Watson firefighters cleared the scene about 90 minutes after their arrival. Norris Electric Cooperative assisted with securing power to the residence and garage.