By Erin Smith
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A brush fire on Monday afternoon in the Council area almost claimed a home. Tommy Bell, a neighbor of the property located at 168 Columbus County Road, Council, was burning in the garden beside the home when the fire got out of hand.
Bladen County Emergency Management Director Bradley Kinlaw said, “He was here and he was putting water on it (when fire crews arrived).”
Kinlaw said, fortunately, the house and vehicles in the yard were not damaged and the fire was quickly extinguished.
As people are beginning to clean up from Winter Storm Grayson, Kinlaw said there are some precautions you can take.
Kinlaw said if you have plans to burn, you should obtain a burning permit. He said this allows officials to contact you should the conditions change and become unfavorable for burning.
Also, be sure you have the necessary tools to put the fire out in case of an emergency. For example, have a water hose and a shovel available while burning.
Kinlaw said never leave a fire unattended. He said make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the area.
Kinlaw said fire activity usually increases in February as more people begin to clean up and remove yard debris from the winter.
The North Carolina Forest Service, Bladen County Emergency Management, Lisbon Fire Department and Carvers Creek Fire Department all responded to the scene.
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