Flurry of Fires Sends Firefighters Scrambling

A flurry of fire calls sent Sallisaw firefighters scrambling Tuesday afternoon.

The Sallisaw Fire Department battled a structure fire, was dispatched to six grass fires and two medical calls all within about four hours.

Sallisaw Fire Chief Anthony Armstrong said, “I had them (firefighters) going in every direction. Sometimes we just passed each other going in opposite directions. But it all turned out good except for the structure fire.”

Armstrong recounted the following calls:

-12:25 p.m. Dispatched to the Hanson area to assist Central Fire Department with grass fire.

-1:09 p.m. Dispatched to grass fire on Wild Horse Mountain south of Sallisaw. Firefighters with two grass trucks had fire under control in 20 minutes.

-1:09 p.m. Dispatched to a house fire on State Highway 141 east of U.S. Highway 59 south of Sallisaw. Home of Amanda Elliott was fully engulfed when firemen arrived and was a total loss. Structure fire also caused grass fire. Brent and Gans Fire Departments also on scene. Sallisaw Fire Department on scene for 45 minutes.

-2:20 p.m. Dispatched to County Highway 17 north of Sallisaw for grass fire endangering structure. Brushy and Marble City Fire Departments also responded. Sallisaw Fire Department on scene for 30 minutes.

-2:35 p.m. Dispatched to small grass fire at Eastside Baptist Church in Sallisaw.

-2:35 p.m. Dispatched to Dwight Mission Road west of Sallisaw to assist McKey Fire Department with grass fire. Call cancelled.

-3:03 p.m. Dispatched to fire alarm on Badger Lee Road. Cancelled.

-After 3 p.m. Dispatched to two medical calls. Patients reported to be all right.

Armstrong said the grass fires were most likely caused by low humidity.

“We had low humidity down into the teens,” he said. “That usually means we are going to get some calls. I’m going to check the weather tonight. I hope it’s going to calm down.”

Armstrong said Tuesday was not Sallisaw Fire Department’s busiest day. He said the busiest days are during ice storms, when firefighters may even sleep at the fire department because of so many calls.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com