At 2:01 PM Wednesday, a volunteer with the Noonday Fire Department advised Smith County Dispatch that a mobile home at this location had a fire on the front porch spreading to the center. Moments later, Whitehouse Fire, City of Whitehouse Fire, Flint-Gresham Fire, Chapel Hill Fire, UT EMS, and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office were responding to the scene. At this moment, it was still being determined whether the home was occupied.
Smith County ESD2 Chief 3 arrived first on scene, reporting a double-wide mobile home with heavy fire in the front, heavy smoke coming out of the backside and potential exposure, and a carport on the side of the house. Whitehouse Engine 1 and COW Fire (City of Whitehouse) Engine 102 arrived next, pulling multiple hose lines to the front and rear of the structure for a fast attack. Crews around the back of the structure forced entry, allowing them to attack from the home’s interior. Two tankers arriving from Chapel Hill Fire supplied water to the two engines already on scene.
Flint-Gresham Engine 1 was assigned to a primary search for victims. Moments later, Chief 3 learned that there was only a dog inside the residence and informed the Flint-Gresham firefighters, who were already searching. The pet was rescued and brought outside where the UT EMS crew on standby gave efforts to restore life. Unfortunately the pet did not make it. Firefighters worked hard battling the fire in every possible crook and cranny that the structure held, from the attic to the underside of the home.
The fire was under control at approximately 3:00 PM. The mobile home suffered extensive damage; no injuries were reported. According to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office, the cause of the fire is believed to be a heat lamp that was on the front porch to keep pets warm.