SOUTH POINT –  An evening fire in South Point destroyed a family’s home and injured a village volunteer firefighter.

Thursday, October 28, 1999

SOUTH POINT –  An evening fire in South Point destroyed a family’s home and injured a village volunteer firefighter.

At about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the South Point Volunteer Fire Department received an emergency call alerting firefighters to a structure fire on Little Solida Road.

Upon arrival, a tragic scene awaited them, Chief Richard Stevens said.

"When firefighters arrived on the scene, heavy smoke was visible," Stevens said. "Flames were coming out of the middle of the trailer."

Firefighters immediately grabbed hoses and attacked the rapidly spreading flames from both sides of the structure while neighbors and family members huddled nearby watched the destruction.

Crews worked diligently to extinguish the flames as quickly as possible in an effort to salvage at least some of the family’s belongings, Stevens said.

"They got it under control fast," he said.

The blaze was not stopped before trying to control it injured one firefighter, however.

Deputy chief William Igo suffered injuries while attempting to control the fire, Stevens said.

As firefighters worked the flames from both sides of the structure, fire damage sustained while the blaze ran its course left a dangerous opening.

"A blast of water entering from one side came out the other and hit (Igo)," Stevens said. "It knocked his helmet off and his eyes were injured."

Fellow firefighters and emergency crews responded immediately, attending to Igo’s injuries both on the scene and later at an area hospital, said Stevens, who accompanied Igo to the emergency room.

"He was taken to the hospital and then he was treated and released for his injuries," Stevens said. "He is resting at his home now."

Although Igo’s injuries were relatively minor, the damage to the family’s home was not, Stevens added.

"The trailer was completely destroyed," he said. "We do not have all the information concerning ownership at this time."

The cause of the fire is unknown and is still under investigation through the South Point Volunteer Fire Department, Stevens said.