Last month Franklinville Fire & Rescue responded to 66 medical calls, 7 MVA's, 4 fires, 6 mutual aid alarms, and a number of other various alarms, bringing our total to 104 responses for the month of April. This was down from 138 alarms in the month of March. You can visit our website each month to find out what your local firefighters are up to. (fb)

At approximately 6:30 AM, a passerby on Loflin Pond Road reported heavy smoke coming from a residential structure and immediately called 911. At the time, Franklinville Fire & Rescue had already responded to ten separate calls and was actively working a medical alarm when Randolph County dispatched units to the scene. Firefighters quickly cleared the medical call and responded without delay. Upon arrival, crews found a single-story detached garage with heavy smoke showing. A primary search was immediately conducted to ensure no occupants were inside. Residents were safely alerted to the situation. After confirming the structure was unoccupied, the homeowners informed firefighters that a heat lamp had been left on overnight and identified its general location. Despite zero visibility conditions, firefighters made entry, quickly located the source of the fire, and extinguished it. Upon investigation, it was determined that the heat lamp had dislodged, fallen to the floor, burned through it, and continued to burn in the crawl space below. While the use of heat lamps to warm young animals is common, this incident serves as an important reminder of the serious fire risk they pose when not properly secured. Heat lamps should always be mounted securely, kept away from flammable materials, and monitored regularly. Franklinville Fire & Rescue encourages all residents to use extra caution when using supplemental heat sources, especially around pets or livestock. A few extra minutes of prevention can save your home—and your life. Thanks to East Side Fire Department and Westside Fire & Rescue for their response and assistance. #FireSafety #FranklinvilleFire #HeatLampHazard #StaySafe (fb)