One home a total loss after brush fire gets out of control

By BOB GIBBINS

March 18, 2009 11:19 am

— BRIGGS – Firefighters from three departments and he Forestry Service battled brisk winds Tuesday afternoon after a brush fire apparently got out of control in the Briggs area.
Tahlequah Fire Chief Ray Hammons and his crew were dispatched to provide mutual aid to the Welling Volunteer Fire Department and Chief Martin Webb. No injuries were reported in the blaze, but one home was a total loss.
Firefighters were being told that as many as three homes were involved while they were en route to the scene.
The TFD received a 911 call about the fire early Tuesday afternoon and joined Welling and Illinois River VFD members on scene. Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies and Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission rangers were also assisting.
Hammons said firefighters believe someone in the area was burning trash and the fire got out of hand and spread to nearby structures. He said firefighters were able to save three homes and five other structures, such as barns and other out buildings.
“All of the guys [from the various departments] got in there and did a good job,” Hammons said of the effort.