Locals in need following structure fire
Over the weekend, the Dublin Volunteer Fire Department was busy not only in town but also assisting other departments with multiple call outs over the weekend.
On the evening of Friday, Aug. 16, Dublin VFD was requested by Comanche VFD in a mutual aid call for a fire at a pecan orchard off CR 315.
At 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, Dublin VFD and Erath County Fire/Rescue responded to a structure fire to the home of Belinda and Red Seigars on East Chancellor where their barn and RV were a complete loss. Red has previously served as mayor for the city of Dublin.
Belinda’s sister Deborah Lovelace who was living in the RV, lost all of her possessions and the couple lost a lot of possessions which were stored in the barn.
“Our minds are kind of boggled at the moment. We were inches away from a different outlook. Thank God Digger Johnson saw the smoke and banged on our door,” Belinda said.
“Every single thing I’ve gathered through my life is gone. Just gone. I can’t tell you how heartbroken and lost I am,” Deborah wrote on social media. “Some things like clothes and shoes and stuff can be replaced but not all of the memorabilia from my entire life. Pictures, little paintings my grandkids gave me, even the show box that I made when my daddy died. We are grateful to be alive, it went up so fast.”
The community has begun pulling together to help replace belongings. For those interested in contributing financially, a Go Fund Me has been set up and can be found by searching for Belinda’s name at gofundme.com or through cash app $beekayev63.
“Our community has done so much for us and I am so grateful,” Lovelace said.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, another mutual aid call came in when DVFD responded along with Comanche VFD and Proctor VFD to a structure fire in the Hasse area.
Comanche County EMS, Comanche County Sheriff’s deputies and Comanche County Emergency Management also responded, and all occupants were out of the house, but the home was a complete loss.
According to information shared by CVFD, firefighters were extremely challenged by high temperatures.
On Sunday, Aug. 18, DVFD crews responded to a fire on Cr 305 when the burning of trash got out of control.
On Monday, Aug. 19, first responders were called to the scene of a two car accident at the intersection next to Dairy Queen. According to information from the Dublin Police Department, a vehicle ran the red light and hit another vehicle. There were no injuries and both vehicles were towed. A county-wide burn ban was put into place Monday, Aug. 19 by the Erath County Commissioners.
Dublin Fire Chief Paul Warner said the burn ban could not have come at a better time. “Our guys are tired,” he said.