Firemen busy on Friday

Vandalia's volunteer fire department was busy last Friday. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., firefighters were called to the home of Ralph Devall north of Hagarstown on the Hagarstown Road (first photo). Devall safely escaped the home, which was destroyed in the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Twenty-three firefighters responded to the call, and they were at the scene for about two hours, receiving mutual aid assistance from the Mulberry Grove Fire Department. Fire officials estimated the damage at $40,000. The department also received assistance from the MGFD in extinguishing a combine blaze Friday afternoon. The VVFD responded at 3:06 p.m. to a cornfield west of Vandalia Airport on Airport Road. The fire destroyed a 2001 John Deere combine owned by Gerald Forehand. In the second photo, VVFD member Clifford Ray pulls a hoseline as firefighters arrive at the scene. Fire officials believe a bad bearing and oil leak caused the fire. Damage was estimated at $100,000. In the third photo, VVFD member Jason Paslay fights the blaze.
Photos by Rich Bauer