Just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, July 16th, the Russellville Fire Department, Pottsville Fire Department and Atkins Fire Department were dispatched to 219 Apple Lane on a report of a structure fire.
Pope County 911 dispatchers advised the responding departments that they had received a 911 call reporting the fire from a neighbor who advised them that they were asked to call 911 and report the fire from their neighbor. At the time of the call, all occupants were believed to be outside the residence.
Upon the arrival of firefighters, they advised dispatch that heavy smoke and flames were showing from the residence. Firefighters made a fast attack on the fire as they began working to knock down the flames that threatened the home.
A short time following their arrival, firefighters on scene contacted dispatch and requested the response of Pope County EMS to perform a patient evaluation on an occupant of the home for smoke inhalation and possible burns.
Upon the arrival of Pope County EMS 131, the patient was evaluated and then refused treatment transport.
Firefighters continued to fight the fire in order to save the home and after continuing their efforts the fire was determined to be under control and a short time later was extinguished.
Just before 10:30 p.m. the Atkins Fire Department was released from the scene and returned to their station.
Russellville and Pottsville remained on scene until about 11:30 p.m. completing overhaul efforts.
Although a portion of the home was damaged in the incident, firefighters were able to save the home and some of its contents from being destroyed. It was determined that fire ignited after one of occupants was cooking but stepped outside to check a brush pile that they had burned earlier in the evening.
Luckily, no injuries were reported in the incident.