Quick action by a city employee and a fast response from firefighters helped rescue two people and limit damage during a house fire Tuesday morning in Flippin.
The Flippin Fire Department was dispatched at 11:43 a.m. to a reported structure fire at the intersection of East Main Street and 7th Street. The fire was first noticed by Flippin Public Works Director J.L. Wagoner, who was driving by the residence. According to the department, Wagoner broke a window and helped remove one occupant from the home before fire crews arrived.
At the time of the call, two personnel were at the station. Volunteer firefighters responded quickly, placing seven fully equipped firefighters on scene with water on the fire within three minutes, arriving at 11:46 a.m. Additional responders brought the total number of firefighters on scene to more than 18.
Fire crews made entry through the front of the residence and conducted an interior attack, preventing the fire from extending to the front of the structure. Exterior crews worked at the rear of the home, pushing fire off the porch, gaining control of the back side and later shifting to roof operations. The second occupant was removed from the home through the front entrance.
Several pets died in the fire, but firefighters rescued a mother cat and her kittens, along with two additional cats from a room that was not damaged.
Assisting agencies included Summit, Yellville and Bull Shoals fire departments. Rea Valley Fire Department provided coverage within the city while Flippin crews were committed to the incident. The Flippin Police Department assisted with traffic control.
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