A rash of fires in Franklin County over the past two months has taken the lives of two residents and led to the severe injury of a longtime fireman and alderman.
Two Franklin County residents died in separate house fires in Roxie and in Bude. On Oct. 12, Eva Laura Chinnery, 82, of Roxie, died in a home fire. On Oct. 21, Arthur Lee Williams, 69, 64 D Street, Bude, died in a fire.
Meadville alderman and Volunteer Fire Chief Charles Calcote suffered a severe injury while fighting a house fire last week. Calcote has been a volunteer fireman since 1965. This is the first time he has been injured on duty.
At the scene of the Nov. 18 fire, resident Timothy Milton fought off heavy smoke and managed to save his 6-year-old daughter Vicky, who was in a back room of the house. His wife Jennifer Milton and seventh-grade son Timmy also made it safely out.
Calcote recalls his injury.
“It was a big fire. Three trucks responded to it and began fighting the fire,” Calcote said. “I was attempting to get some hose down. I got up on the steps of the truck and I pulled off more hose than I wanted to. I lost my balance, slipped and fell down backwards and hit the ground. When I landed, I knew it was bad.”
Calcote was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. He underwent a CT scan and was diagnosed with a compressed vertebrae.
Colcote’s doctor said he should expect three to four weeks of severe pain.
He will be home today for Thanksgiving, but Wednesday morning he said he was still hurting. He will have to see a surgeon at the hospital in the next week.
Despite the pain to himself, Calcote’s first concern remains the safety of others. He advises folks to remain steadfast this holiday season.
“People need to pay attention and be aware of the dangers,” Calcote said. “We see more fires during this time of the year.”
He said most blazes can be prevented, and fires are especially threatening to the elderly and the crippled.
He advises relatives to check on family members and make sure they are safe.
This includes the use of space heaters.
“The use of space heaters is prevalent but doesn’t have to be dangerous,” he said.
Calcote said residents need to make sure they aren’t overloading their heating system.
With the exception of his own injury, Calcote said the fire department has a stellar safety record.
The Milton’s home was a complete loss, Calcote said. Churches in the community have come together to assist the family with food and supplies.
Meadville Mayor Lane Reed reflected on the recent tragic events that have hit the Franklin County community.
“It has been devastating. All these fires in such a short period of time has had a huge effect on the community.”
Reed spoke of the significance of Calcote’s injury on municipal functions.
“And then there’s Charles. He knows everything about the city. He knows where everything is. It’s difficult to deal with, this freak accident in the middle of the night,” Reed said.
