Louisa crews narrowly escaped as flames overran Engine 6, forcing a dramatic retreat, while a falling tree struck Engine 7 and nearly hit another firefighter

LOUISA, Ky. — A controlled burn that got out of control sparked a forest and brush fire near homes and other structures, leading to a mayday situation for Louisa Fire Department firefighters, according to the department’s Facebook post.

The call came in at 4:40 p.m. on March 31 with a caller reporting that the hills were on fire and that two homes, a large storage building and a garage were at risk, the department said.

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Engine 6 responded to the area of a residence and garage where the fire was advancing, and firefighters began working to stop its spread before it reached the structures. A second engine, Engine 7, arrived at another residence and a large storage building and began suppression efforts after crews found the fire had moved to within 5 feet of the buildings.

Tanker 3 supplied water to the engines, while incident command was established and Kentucky Forestry was notified, the department said.

As crews battled the blaze, firefighters assigned to Engine 6 became trapped when the wildfire rapidly overran their position near the residence and garage. The crew reported that the garage had caught fire and that heavy flames were surrounding them as strong winds pushed fire and smoke into the area.

“It was coming up the hill like a blowtorch,” Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston told WSAZ. “In a second, it went from being a normal brush fire to an inferno.”

Unable to see or breathe in the intense smoke and heat, firefighters called a mayday as conditions deteriorated.

Preston said he and another firefighter got into the truck under extreme heat and smoke conditions and drove the fire engine in reverse, far enough away from the fire to reach a safe area.

As additional crews rushed to the scene after the mayday was issued, the Engine 7 crew worked to deploy more attack lines into the area as firefighters carried out rescue efforts, according to the department.

During those efforts, a large oak tree fell across the cab of Engine 7, narrowly missing the pump operator. Officials said the firefighter could have been seriously injured had the tree fallen just inches in a different direction. The department said neighboring agencies also heard the mayday and responded immediately to assist.

The fire was eventually extinguished after forestry crews used two dozers to keep it from spreading across the hillside toward additional homes.

Two firefighters suffered minor burns, and one Division of Forestry firefighter was treated for chest pains, the department said.

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