Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dyer Fire Photography
The day after Christmas was a frightening experience for a Lakeland couple, who watched their home and all its contents go up in flames.
Reva and Don Brown were home when a fire broke out at their house at 9036 Breckenridge Cove, but they only suffered smoke inhalation.
The Shelby County Fire Department sent multiple engine companies to the fire at 7:50 p.m. Dec. 26. Firefighters rushed in from Arlington, Memphis and Shelby County Fire Agencies, and Shelby County Engine 65 arrived on the scene in only seven minutes, reporting flames through the roof, heavy smoke and a house next door exposed and on fire as well.
At the height of the emergency nearly two dozen firefighters were engaged in knocking down this fire. They determined the fire was under control by 8:18 p.m.
The Browns were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett for observation and smoke inhalation. One Shelby County fire fighter was also taken to the hospital for a minor injury to the knee.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the 1,479 square foot home was lost. Both homes on either side saw slight damage and were saved through the effective firefighting tactics used in concert by the three fire departments that were on the scene.
