RFD stops blaze from spreading

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Russellville Fire Department's quick response and efforts contained what could have been very dangerous situation for Russellville residents Thursday morning.
The 911 call came into the 911 Call Center in Belgreen at 11:22 a.m. Thursday, but firefighters were already in route as they heard the tones paging them out to a gasoline fire at Webb Oil, located on Highway 43 in Russellville.
"We were all at Station Two because we had just finished training," Fire Marshall Bobby Malone said. "I saw a few of our guys rushing to get to the fire truck when we heard the tones sending us out."
Malone said the firefighters heard a small explosion when the vapor fumes from one of the tanks was ignited by a spark.
"We are still investigating the cause of the fire," Malone said. "But, we do believe a spark ignited the fumes."
Homeowner Ralph Vincent said he was at the tank just a few minutes before it erupted into flames.
"I was over there talking to a truck driver who was filling his truck up just before it caught on fire," Vincent said. "But, I was in the house when I heard a whistling sound, and I ran outside and saw the flames."
Once the firefighters reached the scene, they immediately began covering the blaze with special foam designed to smother fire involving gasoline or petroleum products.
Capt. Randy Seal was the shift captain Thursday. He said they were initially concerned with getting the fire cooled off to avoid an explosion.
"We had to contain the fire as quickly as possible to avoid a large explosion," Seal said. "I was worried there would be an explosion and that my guys would get hurt."
While the fire department was busy working to get the fire under control, the Russellville Police Department was working to clear the area in case an explosion did occur.
"The general area was evacuated, and the highway was closed down until the explosion threat was over," Fire Chief Joe Mansell said.
Firefighters had the fire under control after only 30 minutes on the scene. Mansell said it was the department's quick response that turned a dangerous situation into a best-case scenario.
"We were worried the other tanks would explode and cause injury," Mansell said. "But, since we were able to respond so quickly, a catastrophe was avoided."
Mansell said he was proud of his department's response.
"You can never be fully ready for something like this," Mansell said. "But, under the command of Capt. Randy Seal, Capt. Steve Thornton, and Fire Marshall Bobby Malone, they were able to contain the fire very quickly."
Mansell said his department-received assistance from the Muscle Shoals Fire Department, Tharptown Fire Department, Blue Springs Fire Department, Frankfort Fire Department, the Littleville Fire Department, and NorthStar Paramedic Services. Pleasant Bay Ambulance Service was also on the scene.
"We'd like to thank everyone who came to assist us," Mansell said. "When you are dealing with a fuel fire such as this, there are a lot of unknown factors, and we thank them for their support."
Mansell said several other departments called and offered their assistance as well.
"We had several more departments call and offer to help, and we thank them," Mansell said.
Among those departments offering assistance were the Haleyville, Bear Creek, and Double Springs fire departments.
The department stayed on the scene for several hours after the blaze was contained, and provided HAZMAT services before the HAZMAT clean up crew from Birmingham arrived.