August 13, 2015 - A house fire in the Aiken area resulted in a total loss of the residence on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department (WSVFD) and Center Fire Department fought to save the home owned by Ronald Chandler.
The WSVFD was dispatched to the fire at 5:10pm on State Highway 7 West near CR 1210. When the firemen arrived the house was engulfed in flames. Jason Burch and Ryan Chandler, who had been fishing nearby, worked with the firemen to try and extinguish the flames.
According to Chief Jerryl Adams, Chandler stated he turned on the air conditioner and went outside to feed his dogs when he heard a pop, when he went back inside flames had already caught. He tried putting it out and then called for help.
As the WSVFD was fighting the fire, they requested the assistance of the Center Fire Department whose members arrived and worked with the other firemen to extinguish the flames and prevent its spread. However, the house was a total loss and the family's belongings along with the home.
A family member at the scene stated Chandler had recently purchased school supplies for his daughters and those supplies were destroyed in the fire. Anyone seeking to assist this family during their time of need should contact the fire department or Shelby County Outreach Ministries.
Earlier in the day, before the house fire, the assistance of the WSVFD was requested by the San Augustine Fire Department whose members were fighting a fire 1 1/2 miles across the county line off FM 711 at 2:30pm. Once the firemen returned to the station and refilled with water at 5pm they were dispatched to the house fire at 5:10pm.
Chief Adams expressed appreciation at the assistance provided by Jason Burch and Ryan Chandler at the scene of the house fire.
