CHAPPELL HILL VFD THANKS NEIGHBORING DEPARTMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER SEVEN-CALL WEEKEND

  

The Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department says it may have just had its busiest weekend ever and is thanking surrounding fire departments for their help on calls.

From Friday to Sunday, Chappell Hill volunteers went out to seven calls.  The fire department says the weekend was made even crazier due to the Scarecrow Festival and a department fundraiser being held.  It says the Brenham Fire Department, Salem Volunteer Fire Department and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department “stepped up and had our backs” by helping to cover calls while the Chappell Hill department worked to fundraise. 

On Friday, just before 3:30 a.m., Chappell Hill units were dispatched to a reported crash without entrapment near the intersection of FM 1155 and Chappell Grove Lane.  They arrived on scene and found that the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and ran into a tree.  Firefighters assessed the scene to check for fluids leaking, but none were found, and they also performed traffic control for law enforcement.  Firefighters cleared the scene shortly after 4 a.m.

At 1 a.m. Saturday, the department responded to a crash without entrapment on Highway 290 East, near Marshall Lane.  Units arrived and found one vehicle in the center median with no driver and minor damage.  They checked for fluids leaking, but none were found.  Law enforcement notified the fire department that the driver had left the scene but was returning.  Firefighters performed traffic control for law enforcement until all units cleared the scene shortly before 2 a.m.

Around 1:30 p.m., during the Scarecrow Festival, units were dispatched to a reported crash without entrapment.  Due to the department fundraiser, traffic congestion and personnel availability, the Chappell Hill department was unable to respond; however, the Brenham and Salem Fire Departments were able to go out to the call and manage the situation.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m. Sunday, volunteers received a report of a crash without entrapment in the 8000 block of Sauney Chapel Road.  They found a vehicle on its driver’s side off the roadway, having sustained major damage after hitting a tree.  Firefighters found fluids leaking from the vehicle and cleaned up the spill, provided lighting for law enforcement and traffic control, and used spreaders to open the door to allow the car to be inventoried, since it was being towed.  Firefighters returned to service around 5:15 a.m.

Just after 2:45 p.m., a grass fire was called in from the 11900 block of Highway 290 East.  Since this was during the Scarecrow Festival, firefighters from Brenham and Salem were dispatched as mutual aid.  Chappell Hill was able to respond with a brush truck and command vehicle.  Upon arrival, they discovered a small 20x20 foot section of grass had been burned from a small burn pile.  The homeowner was quick to slow the fire spread before firefighters made location and put out the blaze.  After ensuring there were no hot spots and the scene was deemed safe, firefighters cleared the call just past 3 p.m.

Approaching 6:15 p.m., the department went out to the 9000 block of Providence Street for a crash without entrapment.  Units found that a vendor driving a U-Haul truck had become impatient trying to pass another vehicle and sideswiped the vehicle they were waiting on.  The wreck was moved off of the roadway, and the scene was quickly turned over to law enforcement. 

Around 7:15 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a reported gas odor or leak in the 9000 block of Providence Street.  They arrived and spoke with the homeowner, who said her propane tank was leaking.  Volunteers used a gas detector and found the tank was leaking, but after ensuring the control valve was off, it still leaked.  They eventually made contact with the reporting parties’ propane company, who informed personnel it was safe to leave and said they would not be coming out that night, but they would be there first thing in the morning.  Units cleared the scene around 8:15 PM.