Monroe County Emergency Services Station 10, located at 50 Evans Road in Smarr, was damaged significantly in a structure fire that occurred late Saturday night (Nov. 27).
No MCES personnel were at Station 10 at the time of the blaze. However, a 2001 Freightliner pumper, parked in the Station 10 garage, had been used by MCES personnel to respond to a call earlier in the evening. The Freightliner was also severely damaged in the blaze.
A 9-1-1 caller reported smoke coming from Station 10 at 11:04 p.m. on Saturday. However, when MCES firefighters arrived at the scene moments later, the station was already engulfed in flames. As firefighters attempted to put out the blaze, a portion of the Station 10 roof collapsed, causing the firefighters to retreat and alter their strategy of attack. One firefighter, Battalion Chief Clay Walton, injured his knee while fighting the blaze and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Crews continued to battle the fire until 2:30 a.m. on Sunday and will be monitoring the scene for at least the remainder of the weekend.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined. The incident has been turned over to the Georgia state fire marshal’s office for further investigation. Further information will be provided once it becomes available.
