BY KEVIN IMM

The West Iredell Volunteer Fire Department hosted a live burn training at a donated property off Island Ford Road on Saturday. Personnel from Stony Point, Monticello, Catawba, Cool Springs and Central fire departments all participated in the training.

Several suspicious fires had occurred at the property in the past. The owner donated it to the department since it was set for demolition.

Firefighters used the two-and-a-half-story home for multiple training scenarios. Personnel from each department took turns extinguishing fires that were set in different rooms until the structure was no longer safe. Finally, the fire was allowed to engulf the structure.

This type of training allows firefighters to practice what they have learned while experiencing the heat and poor visibility of a real fire while managing the air in their air packs, searching for possible victims and extinguishing the fires.

West Iredell VFD Chief Jerry Houston was in command of the operation. 

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