MABELVALE, Ark. — A trailer burned to the ground and another was destroyed after firefighters ran into a problem with locked fire hydrants while trying to put out the fires Friday.
KATV reported that several volunteer fire departments responded to the structure fire to find out the hydrant was locked and didn’t have a key.
“It could’ve been a crisis,” North East Saline County (Ark.) Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rob Bradberry said. “We had enough water to fight the fire, but unfortunately, the first house was burnt to the ground.”
Bradberry said it could’ve been much worse, but the department had help from five surrounding volunteer departments.
“It would’ve been a lot safer to have the hydrant had we needed it,” Bradberry said.
A key was brought to the scene, but surrounding fire departments had been given keys two years ago.
“They were hindered by this, but there were other fire hydrants in the area that they could use. It just took them a little more time,” said Roger Moren, general manager of the Sardis Water Association.
Bradberry said he was never given a key when he became chief a few years ago.
Moren also said the locks were put on two hydrants, because they were suspicions of water theft this past summer.
“It can be a possible public health threat in that contamination can enter our water system and cause problems with the quality of our water,” Moren said.
As of Wednesday, the locks have been removed and all departments will be getting a new set of keys.